Genetic analysis of Sea Turtle Populations in the western Atlantic Ocean with emphasis on the southeast United States

Bowen, Brian and Bass, Anna (1998) Genetic analysis of Sea Turtle Populations in the western Atlantic Ocean with emphasis on the southeast United States. Gainesville, FL, University of Florida, Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,

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Abstract

The purpose of this work was to define nesting populations of the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, using molecular data. Over 200 samples from nesting females at locations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean were analyzed to determine their mitochondrial (mt) DNA genotypes. The data were then used to elucidate nesting population structure and phylogeographic patterns. The hypothesis tested was that loggerhead nesting assemblages constitute distinct reproductive populations and therefore genetically populations. A pattern of strong geographic structuring is considered to be consistent with natal homing behavior as a dominant mechanism guiding the reproductive migrations of this species. (Document has 3pp.)

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