Multiple haplotypes of Chelonia mydas juveniles in a threatened hotspot area in Southern Brazil

CAMILA SATIE SAVADA; LAURA PROSDOCIMI ; CAMILA DOMIT ; FERNANDA SIMÕES DE ALMEIDA

GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

SOC BRASIL GENETICA

Año: 2021

1415-4757

Mixed stocks are described for Chelonia mydas and frequency of haplotypes in feeding areas can help in understanding the genetic and ecological diversity of the species. This study aims to characterize and compare genetic diversity along the coast of Paraná with 17 other feeding areas in the Atlantic Ocean. Data from feeding areas were used for the comparison of genetic diversity, subdivided between North and South groups. A total of 285 samples from juveniles were DNA sequenced in the control region, resulting in identification of 12 haplotypes, with a predominance of CMA8 haplotype (69%) and a first registration of CMA23 and CMA32. For the study subjects, haplotypic and nucleotide diversity were 0.469 ± 0.032 and 0.00189 ± 0.00020, respectively, and comparisons across with other feeding areas presented significant values for the majority of FST and ΦST. The results point to the importance of this region for species and provide evidence that over the years a mixed stock has used the region as a feeding area. This variation could be related to sea currents, climatic changes, and oceanographic characteristics. The current results can already be considered for conservation plans for Chelonia mydas.