Ask the Scientists

Join The Discussion

What is the context of this research?

As cold-blooded creatures, turtles are highly sensitive to ambient temperatures, and for many species hotter climates may result in partial or complete loss of suitable habitat. Incubation temperatures also determine hatchling sex in most turtle species, and small increases in temperature can dramatically skew population sex ratios. Since turtles reproduce slowly and cannot move long distances to track suitable habitat, existing genetic variation may determine their ability to adapt to climate change. We aim to investigate how genetic variation in adaptive genes may vary throughout the state of Wisconsin for two species (Blanding's and Snapping Turtles) in order to inform conservation for these species.











What is the significance of this project?

69% of turtle species worldwide are listed on the IUCN Red List, with one of our target species (Blanding's Turtle) categorized as Endangered. Few studies have investigated variability in potentially adaptive genes across co-occurring species, and this project would represent the first attempt to do so for turtles. Results of this study will provide valuable information about the potential for turtles to respond to climate change. In addition, this project will identify regions harboring the most adaptive genetic variation, which can then be used to design protected areas. This research will provide a framework for investigating adaptive variability in other reptiles and predicting climate-related changes in this variability.

What are the goals of the project?

Using genetic samples collected throughout Wisconsin, we will create Genotype-by-Sequencing (GBS) libraries that contain fragments of genomic DNA for both species. We will then use next-generation sequencing methods and standard bioinformatic techniques to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for each species. From this pool of SNPs, we will identify which polymorphisms show relationships with climate, and we will identify how variability in these SNPs is distributed throughout the state. If funded, this work would begin in late 2016, and likely be finished in Spring 2017. As a stretch goal, we may also investigate targeted genes. By searching the literature and publicly-available genetic databases, we have identified promising candidate genes related to climate.