Historical DNA analysis reveals living descendants of an extinct species of Galápagos tortoise

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0805340105
• Publication Date: 2008-09-23T00:45:06Z
• Authors: Nikos Poulakakis; Scott Glaberman; Michael Russello; Luciano B. Behere...; Claudio Ciofi; Jeffrey R. Powell; Adalgisa Caccone
• Keywords: Archipelago; Tortoise

Giant tortoises, a prominent symbol of the Galápagos archipelago, illustrate influence geological history and natural selection on diversification organisms. Because heavy human exploitation, 4 15 known species ( Geochelone spp.) have disappeared. Charles Darwin himself detailed intense harvesting one species, G. elephantopus , which once was endemic to island Floreana. This believed been exterminated within years Darwin's historic visit in 1835. The application modern DNA techniques museum specimens combined with long-term study system creates new opportunities for identifying living remnants extinct taxa wild. Here, we use mitochondrial microsatellite data obtained from show that population Floreana evolutionarily distinct all other tortoise populations. It demonstrated some individuals nearby Isabela are genetically rest island's inhabitants. Surprisingly, found these “non-native” tortoises recent ancestry closely match genetic provided by specimens. Thus, line has not completely extinguished still exists an intermixed Isabela. With enough commence serious captive breeding program, this finding may help reestablish thought gone more than century ago illustrates power analysis critical role conservation biology.