2018
Genome-Wide Assessment of Diversity and Divergence Among Extant Galapagos Giant Tortoise Species
Miller J, Quinzin M, Edwards D, Eaton D, Jensen E, Russello M, Gibbs J, Tapia W, Rueda D, Caccone A. Genome-Wide Assessment of Diversity and Divergence Among Extant Galapagos Giant Tortoise Species. Journal Of Heredity 2018, 109: 611-619. PMID: 29986032, DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGiant tortoise speciesMitochondrial DNA sequencesSingle nucleotide polymorphismsTortoise speciesGenetic diversityMicrosatellite lociDNA sequencesGenotypic dataMicrosatellite genotypic dataNuclear microsatellite lociGenome-wide markersEstimates of diversityGenome-wide assessmentGalapagos giant tortoisesSpecies radiationEvolutionary geneticsSignificant unitsMitochondrial DNAPopulation structureSpecies conservationGenetic lineagesGiant tortoisesPopulation delineationTortoise populationsDNA sequencing
2015
Genetics of a head-start program to guide conservation of an endangered Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis ephippium)
Jensen E, Tapia W, Caccone A, Russello M. Genetics of a head-start program to guide conservation of an endangered Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis ephippium). Conservation Genetics 2015, 16: 823-832. DOI: 10.1007/s10592-015-0703-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGalápagos tortoisesEx situ conservation strategiesEx situ conservation programsWild populationsMicrosatellite genotypic dataSitu conservation strategiesSitu conservation programsGenetic variationGiant Galápagos tortoisesSignificant genetic differentiationPopulation genetic variationEx situ approachesConservation strategiesConservation interventionsConservation programsWildlife speciesCaptive foundersPinzón IslandCaptive populationsGenetic differentiationBreadth of diversityIntensive managementGiant tortoisesPrivate allelesManagement decisions
2011
Lineage Identification and Genealogical Relationships Among Captive Galápagos Tortoises
Benavides E, Russello M, Boyer D, Wiese R, Kajdacsi B, Marquez L, Garrick R, Caccone A. Lineage Identification and Genealogical Relationships Among Captive Galápagos Tortoises. Zoo Biology 2011, 31: 107-120. PMID: 21674601, DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20397.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenealogical relationshipsGalápagos tortoisesEx situ conservation programsMicrosatellite genotypic dataSan Diego ZooGalápagos giant tortoisesWild-born individualsSitu conservation programsLevels of relatednessDetailed management recommendationsSanta Cruz IslandEvolutionary lineagesAssignment testsGenetic toolsSpecies designationRelated foundersGiant tortoisesGenotypic dataUnknown ancestryHaplotypic dataPedigree relationshipsDifferent speciesLineage identificationIsabela IslandConservation programs
2010
DNA from the Past Informs Ex Situ Conservation for the Future: An “Extinct” Species of Galápagos Tortoise Identified in Captivity
Russello MA, Poulakakis N, Gibbs JP, Tapia W, Benavides E, Powell JR, Caccone A. DNA from the Past Informs Ex Situ Conservation for the Future: An “Extinct” Species of Galápagos Tortoise Identified in Captivity. PLOS ONE 2010, 5: e8683. PMID: 20084268, PMCID: PMC2800188, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008683.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExtinct speciesCaptive individualsGenotypic dataExtant speciesGalápagos tortoisesNative rangeTortoise speciesMitochondrial DNA control region haplotypesHistorical DNA analysisMicrosatellite genotypic dataControl region haplotypesMitochondrial DNA haplotypesEx situ conservationSpecies recovery effortsConservation-related researchIslands of IsabelaCryptic diversityBayesian assignmentDNA haplotypesSitu conservationFloreana IslandConservation statusBreeding effortsMicrosatellite genotypesMuseum specimens
2006
Molecular assessment of the genetic integrity, distinctiveness and phylogeographic context of the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) on Palau
Russello M, Brazaitis P, Gratten J, Watkins-Colwell G, Caccone A. Molecular assessment of the genetic integrity, distinctiveness and phylogeographic context of the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) on Palau. Conservation Genetics 2006, 8: 777-787. DOI: 10.1007/s10592-006-9225-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSaltwater crocodilesC. porosusGenetic integrityMitochondrial DNA control region haplotypesDistinct management unitsMicrosatellite genotypic dataSignificant genetic differentiationControl region haplotypesInter-specific hybridizationSevere population declinesCrocodylus speciesSingle ESUPhylogeographic contextGenetic differentiationRepublic of PalauGenetic bottleneckMtDNA resultsWidespread haplotypeGene poolUndocumented speciesRegion haplotypesCrocodilian speciesGenotypic dataPopulation declineSpecial conservation