Biogeographic perspective of speciation among desert tortoises in the genus Gopherus: a preliminary evaluation
Proceedings
RMRS-P-67
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Abstract
The enduring processes of time, climate, and adaptation have sculpted the distribution of organisms we observe in the Sonoran Desert. One such organism is Morafka’s desert tortoise, Gopherus morafkai. We apply a genomic approach to identify the evolutionary processes driving diversity in this species and present preliminary findings and emerging hypotheses. The Sonoran Desert form of the tortoise exhibits a continuum of genetic similarity spanning 850 km of Sonoran desertscrub extending from Empalme, Sonora, to Kingman, Arizona. However, at the ecotone between desertscrub and foothills thornscrub we identify a distinct, Sinaloan lineage and this occurrence suggests a more complex evolutionary history for G. morafkai. By using multiple loci from throughout the tortoise’s genome, we aim to determine if divergence between these lineages occurred in allopatry, and further to investigate for signatures of past or current genetic introgression. This international, collaborative project will assist state and federal agencies in developing management strategies that best preserve the evolutionary potential of Morafka’s desert tortoise. Ultimately, an understanding of the evolutionary history of desert tortoises will not only clarify the forces that have driven the divergence in this group, but also contribute to our knowledge of the biogeographic history of the Southwestern deserts and how diversity is maintained within them.
Suggested Citation
Edwards, T., Vaughn, M., Melendez Torres, C., Karl, A.E., Rosen, P.C., Berry, K.H., Murph, R.W., 2013, Biogeographic perspective of speciation among desert tortoises in the genus Gopherus: a preliminary evaluation: Proceedings RMRS-P-67, 5 p.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
| Title | Biogeographic perspective of speciation among desert tortoises in the genus Gopherus: a preliminary evaluation |
| Series title | Proceedings |
| Series number | RMRS-P-67 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Forest Service |
| Publisher location | Fort Collins, CO |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | 5 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Merging science and management in a rapidly changing world: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago III and 7th Conference on Research and Resource Management in the Southwestern Deserts; 2012 May 1-5; Tucson, AZ |
| First page | 243 |
| Last page | 247 |
| Conference Title | Merging science and management in a rapidly changing world: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago III and 7th Conference on Research and Resource Management in the Southwestern Deserts; 2012 May 1-5; Tucson, AZ |
| Conference Location | Tucson, AZ |
| Conference Date | 2012-05-01T00:00:00 |
| Country | Mexico |