Results from this study demonstrate the fundamental importance of continuing taxonomic investigations …

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Materials and methods
• Results and discussion
• Acknowledgements
• References
• Figures
• Tables

Biology Articles » Conservation Biology » A cryptic taxon of Galápagos tortoise in conservation peril

Abstract

- A cryptic taxon of Galápagos tortoise in conservation peril

A cryptic taxon of Galápagos tortoise in conservation peril

Michael A. Russello^{1, *}, Scott Glaberman¹, James P. Gibbs³, Cruz Marquez⁴, Jeffrey R. Powell¹ & Adalgisa Caccone^{1, 2}

¹Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
²Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
³College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
⁴Charles Darwin Research Station, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

*Author for correspondence michael.russello@yale.edu

Keywords: Geochelone nigra (elephantopus); giant tortoises; microsatellites; conservation genetics; phylogeography; historical DNA

As once boldly stated, 'bad taxonomy can kill', highlighting the critical importance of accurate taxonomy for the conservation of endangered taxa. The concept continues to evolve almost 15 years later largely because most legal protections aimed at preserving biological diversity are based on formal taxonomic designations. In this paper we report unrecognized genetic divisions within the giant tortoises of the Galápagos. We found three distinct lineages among populations formerly considered a single taxon on the most populous and accessible island of Santa Cruz; their diagnosability, degree of genetic divergence and phylogenetic placement merit the recognition of at least one new taxon. These results demonstrate the fundamental importance of continuing taxonomic investigations to recognize biological diversity and designate units of conservation, even within long-studied organisms such as Galápagos tortoises, whose evolutionary heritage and contribution to human intellectual history warrant them special attention.