Genetic analysis splits Desert Tortoise in two species

Genetic analysis splits Desert Tortoise in two species
Released: 6/28/2010 3: 02: 08 PM

?Map showing the extent of Morafka desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) and Agassiz desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii). (High resolution image)

riverside, Calif. -New study shows that the desert Tortoise, thought to be one species over the last 150 years, currently consists of two separate species based on DNA evidence, and the biological and geographical distinctions.

These genetic evidence confirms the previous suspect, based on the history of life analysis, to the West and East of the turtles of the Colorado River are two separate species.

The newly-recognized species has been named Morafka in desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) and represents the populations naturally, East and South of the Colorado River, Arizona-extending into Mexico.

The species originally understood, Agassiz desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii) is listed as threatened under the Federal law on endangered species. It represents of naturally occurring populations, West and North of the Colorado River in Utah, Nevada, Northern Arizona and California.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which manages the recovery of threatened and endangered species, was already taking the turtles on both sides of the Colorado River, as a distinct population, which is evidence of genetic simply backs up previous observations, such as differences in life history and reproductive strategy.

"The two species have different Habitat preferences," says Kristin Berry, USGS biologist who studied biology desert Tortoise more than 40 years, and a coauthor on research. "Morafka's Turtle will hide and Burrow into rock crevices on steep hillsides, Rocky, while the Agassiz Turtle prefers dig burrows in the valleys."

Roy Averill-Murray, desert Tortoise Recovery Coordinator for the Fish and Wildlife Service, said: "thank you for the efforts of the USGS and other scientists in order to increase our scientific knowledge of the taxonomy of the Desert tortoise. Study finds that desert Tortoise Morafka is that new species confirms decision services to evaluate the population irrespective of the desert Tortoise and will not change the status of the Agassiz or species under the endangered species Act, or to amend the existing plans for reconstruction. "

Distinguishing the two species of necessary some historical Detective work by scientists. Desert tortoises were first described in 1861 by the army physician, J.G. Cooper. However, two of the original specimens were lost, probably due to the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. Fortunately, Cooper sent a third specimen to the Smithsonian — and its DNA has helped researchers in their analysis, 150 years later.

The study is published in ZooKeys Journal and written by Robert Murphy, the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada, Kristin Berry USGS and colleagues from the University of Arizona, California Academy of Sciences and Lincoln University (Mo).

Field research and travel for this study was supported by the agreements of the University of Los Angeles, California, California State University Dominguez Hills, United States Army Fort Irwin, USAF Edwards Air Force Base, USMC air ground combat Center Twentynine Palms, California Department of fish and game, the Bureau of land management and the USGS.

Read a detailed FAQ on research at the USGS Web page and its ecological Center.

For more information about testing the desert Tortoise by USGS biologist Kristin Berry: http://www.werc.usgs.gov/boxsprings

The comparison table, which distinguishes Morafka desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) from Lake Agassiz desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii). (Text version of table)

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