Meeting Abstract
P1.21 Thursday, Jan. 3 A Molecular Analysis of Putative Hybridization between Two Box Turtle Species BUCHMAN, Anna B.*; DEATON, P. Raelynn; BRUMMEL, Ted; WILSON, Everett D.; LUTTERSCHMIDT, William I. ; Sam Houston State University; Sam Houston State University; Sam Houston State University; Sam Houston State University; Sam Houston State University stdabb14@shsu.edu
Ornate (Terrapene ornata ornata) and Three-toed (Terrapene carolina triunguis) box turtles have different habitat preferences within overlapping ranges in Texas and Oklahoma. In such sympatric distributions, individuals may display characteristics of both species. Hybridization events, between two closely related species, often occur within interspersed habitats with reduced reproductive barriers. Morphometric analyses indicated that putative hybrids have carapace morphology more similar to T.c. truinguis than T.o. ornata. However, additional molecular data is needed to investigate the incidence and extent of hybridization. Microsatellite markers have been effectively used in numerous population studies, and have been particularly useful in kinship and parentage analyses and in examining hybridization between sympatric species. A molecular analysis (using microsatellite primers developed by Hauswaldt and Glenn (2003) for Malaclemys terrapin) of putative T.o. ornata � T.c. triunguis hybrids yielded limited results, largely because specific microsatellite primers are not likely applicable across taxa. Because microsatellite primers for Terrapene have not yet been developed, we are currently developing species-specific microsatellite primers for T.o. ornata and T.c. triunguis with a refined hybridization capture procedure outlined by Glenn and Schable (2005). After primer development, microsatellite genotypic data will be analyzed with GENEPOP 3.1 to assess genetic structure among Terrapene populations. Development of primers for this previously uncharacterized genus will allow for detailed molecular analysis of the putative hybrids and will contribute to the microsatellite library for reptiles.
