2017
Self-righting potential and the evolution of shell shape in Galápagos tortoises
Chiari Y, van der Meijden A, Caccone A, Claude J, Gilles B. Self-righting potential and the evolution of shell shape in Galápagos tortoises. Scientific Reports 2017, 7: 15828. PMID: 29192279, PMCID: PMC5709378, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15787-7.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2016
I-HEDGE: determining the optimum complementary sets of taxa for conservation using evolutionary isolation
Jensen E, Mooers A, Caccone A, Russello M. I-HEDGE: determining the optimum complementary sets of taxa for conservation using evolutionary isolation. PeerJ 2016, 4: e2350. PMID: 27635324, PMCID: PMC5012326, DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2350.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPhylogenetic diversityConservation prioritizationMitochondrial control region dataCurrent biodiversity crisisTotal phylogenetic diversityImportance of speciesGiant Galápagos tortoisesControl region dataSubset of taxaEvolutionary distinctivenessBiodiversity crisisConservation effortsEvolutionary isolationExtinction probabilityInordinate lossGalápagos tortoisesList of rankingsAccount complementarityExtinct speciesEvolutionary historyPhylogenetic networksDiversitySpeciesTaxaPrioritization
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
2014
Lineage fusion in Galápagos giant tortoises
Garrick R, Benavides E, Russello M, Hyseni C, Edwards D, Gibbs J, Tapia W, Ciofi C, Caccone A. Lineage fusion in Galápagos giant tortoises. Molecular Ecology 2014, 23: 5276-5290. PMID: 25223395, DOI: 10.1111/mec.12919.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLineage fusionGiant tortoise speciesGalápagos giant tortoisesWidespread introgressive hybridizationLong generation timesWolf VolcanoCryptic lineagesReticulate evolutionIntrogressive hybridizationLineage splittingMicrosatellite dataGalápagos tortoisesPopulation geneticsEvolutionary phenomenaMate selectivityTortoise speciesGiant tortoisesLineagesGeneration timeRapid extinctionTortoisesPurebred femalesFusionIslandsHistorical reconstruction
2012
Recovery of a nearly extinct Galápagos tortoise despite minimal genetic variation
Milinkovitch MC, Kanitz R, Tiedemann R, Tapia W, Llerena F, Caccone A, Gibbs JP, Powell JR. Recovery of a nearly extinct Galápagos tortoise despite minimal genetic variation. Evolutionary Applications 2012, 6: 377-383. PMID: 23467700, PMCID: PMC3586625, DOI: 10.1111/eva.12014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEspañola IslandGenetic variationEffective population sizeUnequal reproductive successMinimal genetic variationMolecular genetic analysisGalápagos tortoisesReproductive successCaptive populationsNonrandom matingBreeding regimesParental populationsGenetic analysisMorphological dataPopulation sizeTortoise sizeSpeciesCaptivityNumber of animalsTortoisesIslandsInbreedingGalápagosMatingRepatriation effortsGenetic rediscovery of an ‘extinct’ Galápagos giant tortoise species
Garrick R, Benavides E, Russello M, Gibbs J, Poulakakis N, Dion K, Hyseni C, Kajdacsi B, Márquez, Bahan S, Ciofi C, Tapia W, Caccone A. Genetic rediscovery of an ‘extinct’ Galápagos giant tortoise species. Current Biology 2012, 22: r10-r11. PMID: 22240469, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFloreana IslandHybrid individualsGiant tortoise speciesUnique evolutionary lineagesGiant Galápagos tortoisesCaptive breeding programsEvolutionary lineagesGalápagos tortoisesHybrid offspringExtinct speciesGenetic footprintsTortoise speciesBreeding programsGalápagos IslandsGenetic signaturesExtant individualsIsabela IslandGenomeSpeciesMixed ancestryTortoisesAncestryIslandsLineagesLikely mechanism
2011
Unravelling the peculiarities of island life: vicariance, dispersal and the diversification of the extinct and extant giant Galápagos tortoises
POULAKAKIS N, RUSSELLO M, GEIST D, CACCONE A. Unravelling the peculiarities of island life: vicariance, dispersal and the diversification of the extinct and extant giant Galápagos tortoises. Molecular Ecology 2011, 21: 160-173. PMID: 22098061, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05370.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGiant Galápagos tortoisesHuman-mediated dispersal eventsVicariant eventsGalápagos tortoisesMainland South AmericaHuman activitiesIndependent evolutionary unitsAvailable geological dataSimple linear trendRecent human activitiesIsland lifeEvolutionary unitsEndangered taxaColonization eventsExtant speciesDispersal eventsEvolutionary historyGeological dataMultiple colonizationsExtinct speciesOcean islandsDNA dataOlder islandsYounger islandsOceanic islandsLineage 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
2009
Morphometrics Parallel Genetics in a Newly Discovered and Endangered Taxon of Galápagos Tortoise
Chiari Y, Hyseni C, Fritts T, Glaberman S, Marquez C, Gibbs J, Claude J, Caccone A. Morphometrics Parallel Genetics in a Newly Discovered and Endangered Taxon of Galápagos Tortoise. PLOS ONE 2009, 4: e6272. PMID: 19609441, PMCID: PMC2707613, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006272.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGalápagos tortoisesGenetic variationGenetic distinctionTortoise populationsNon-neutral lociStrong genetic differentiationComplex heritable traitsDiagnostic morphological charactersShell morphologyShell shape variationGenetic differentiationMitochondrial dataMonophyletic lineageMorphological charactersGiant tortoisesHeritable traitGenetic dataMost islandsSanta CruzMolecular studiesShell shapeTurtle shellTortoisesLineagesParallel Genetic
2008
Historical DNA analysis reveals living descendants of an extinct species of Galápagos tortoise
Poulakakis N, Glaberman S, Russello M, Beheregaray LB, Ciofi C, Powell JR, Caccone A. Historical DNA analysis reveals living descendants of an extinct species of Galápagos tortoise. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2008, 105: 15464-15469. PMID: 18809928, PMCID: PMC2563078, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0805340105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMuseum specimensHistorical DNA analysisDiversification of organismsCaptive breeding programsIsland of FloreanaModern DNA techniquesMicrosatellite dataGalápagos tortoisesConservation biologyMitochondrial DNANatural selectionExtinct speciesExtinct taxaBreeding programsGiant tortoisesIntense harvestingGenetic analysisGenetic dataGalápagos ArchipelagoTortoise populationsDNA techniquesHuman exploitationNearby islandsEnough individualsSpecies
2007
Lineage identification of Galápagos tortoises in captivity worldwide
Russello M, Hyseni C, Gibbs J, Cruz S, Marquez C, Tapia W, Velensky P, Powell J, Caccone A. Lineage identification of Galápagos tortoises in captivity worldwide. Animal Conservation 2007, 10: 304-311. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2007.00113.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMitochondrial DNA control region sequencesGenetic dataPopulation allele frequency dataCaptive population managementControl region sequencesMicrosatellite genotype dataPopulation genetic dataConservation valueConservation strategiesLonesome GeorgeCaptive breedingExtant populationsAllele frequency dataMtDNA haplotypesRobust populationEvolutionary originGalápagos tortoisesHybrid originPopulation managementMuseum specimensMtDNA analysisGeochelone nigraRegion sequencesMolecular approachesNovel haplotypesGiant Galápagos tortoises; molecular genetic analyses identify a trans-island hybrid in a repatriation program of an endangered taxon
Milinkovitch MC, Monteyne D, Russello M, Gibbs JP, Snell HL, Tapia W, Marquez C, Caccone A, Powell JR. Giant Galápagos tortoises; molecular genetic analyses identify a trans-island hybrid in a repatriation program of an endangered taxon. BMC Ecology And Evolution 2007, 7: 2. PMID: 17302982, PMCID: PMC1820773, DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-7-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMolecular genetic analysisGenetic analysisIsland of EspañolaEffective population sizeGalápagos tortoisesGenetic integrityConservation significanceReproductive successHuman transportMicrosatellite allelesPopulation sizeTaxaSex ratioRepatriation programMajor islandsTortoisesFemale tortoisesSingle contaminationBreedersFurther contaminationIslandsHybridsPinzónContaminationLinage
2006
Phylogeographic History and Gene Flow Among Giant Galápagos Tortoises on Southern Isabela Island
Ciofi C, Wilson GA, Beheregaray LB, Marquez C, Gibbs JP, Tapia W, Snell HL, Caccone A, Powell JR. Phylogeographic History and Gene Flow Among Giant Galápagos Tortoises on Southern Isabela Island. Genetics 2006, 172: 1727-1744. PMID: 16387883, PMCID: PMC1456292, DOI: 10.1534/genetics.105.047860.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDispersal eventsMitochondrial DNA control region sequencesGalápagos giant tortoisesLimited dispersal abilityRecent dispersal eventsControl region sequencesGiant Galápagos tortoisesMultilocus genotyping methodsLand bridge formationMovement of organismsEffects of vicarianceRapid population declineIslands of IsabelaLineage sortingClade analysisPhylogeographic historyGene flowDispersal abilityGenetic divergenceGalápagos tortoisesMicrosatellite lociPhylogeographic inferenceSouthern Isabela IslandTaxonomic distinctionGiant tortoises
2005
A cryptic taxon of Galpagos tortoise in conservation peril
Russello M, Glaberman S, Gibbs J, Marquez C, Powell J, Caccone A. A cryptic taxon of Galpagos tortoise in conservation peril. Biology Letters 2005, 1: 287-290. PMID: 17148189, PMCID: PMC1617146, DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2005.0317.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBiological diversityFormal taxonomic designationGenetic divergenceGalápagos tortoisesAccurate taxonomyDistinct lineagesTaxonomic investigationGenetic divisionTaxonomic designationsSingle taxonGiant tortoisesBad taxonomyEvolutionary heritageNew taxonTaxaAccessible islandsTortoisesHuman intellectual historyDiversityConservationSanta CruzTaxonomyLineagesGalápagosOrganisms
2004
Extreme difference in rate of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA evolution in a large ectotherm, Galápagos tortoises
Caccone A, Gentile G, Burns CE, Sezzi E, Bergman W, Ruelle M, Saltonstall K, Powell JR. Extreme difference in rate of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA evolution in a large ectotherm, Galápagos tortoises. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution 2004, 31: 794-798. PMID: 15062813, DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2004.02.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGalápagos tortoisesUnusual reproductive biologyKb of mtDNANuclear DNA evolutionEffective population sizeGiant Galápagos tortoisesRate of evolutionMtDNA divergenceMtDNA evolutionBiogeographic historyDNA evolutionMolecular evolutionNeutral theoryReproductive biologyLarge ectothermsNuclear DNAEctothermic animalsPopulation sizeSilent substitutionsNucDNAMtDNAKbTortoisesDivergenceExtreme differencesGiant tortoises are not so slow: Rapid diversification and biogeographic consensus in the Galápagos
Beheregaray L, Gibbs J, Havill N, Fritts T, Powell J, Caccone A. Giant tortoises are not so slow: Rapid diversification and biogeographic consensus in the Galápagos. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2004, 101: 6514-6519. PMID: 15084743, PMCID: PMC404076, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0400393101.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGiant Galápagos tortoisesGalápagos tortoisesGreat natural laboratoryGenetic variationDivergent monophyletic cladesHistory of diversificationIsolated oceanic archipelagoPatterns of colonizationBiogeographic predictionsEvolutionary diversificationGene flowEndemic haplotypesExtant populationsLimited dispersalOceanic archipelagosBiogeographic patternsEvolutionary eventsBiological diversificationMonophyletic cladeMtDNA sequencesRapid diversificationGenetic interchangeRange expansionOlder islandsGiant tortoisesGenetic analysis of a successful repatriation programme: giant Galpagos tortoises
Milinkovitch M, Monteyne D, Gibbs J, Fritts T, Tapia W, Snell H, Tiedemann R, Caccone A, Powell J. Genetic analysis of a successful repatriation programme: giant Galpagos tortoises. Proceedings Of The Royal Society B 2004, 271: 341-345. PMID: 15101691, PMCID: PMC1691607, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2607.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenetic variationIsland of EspañolaGiant Galápagos tortoisesMicrosatellite DNA markersNatural populationsGalápagos tortoisesDNA markersNatural habitatsSitu reproductionBreeding programsGenetic analysisRepatriation programBreedersTortoisesOffspringFurther lossHabitatsTaxaPaternitySpeciesCaptivityReproductionPopulationIslandsVariation
2003
The origin of captive Galápagos tortoises based on DNA analysis: implications for the management of natural populations
Burns C, Ciofi C, Beheregaray L, Fritts T, Gibbs J, Márquez C, Milinkovitch M, Powell J, Caccone A. The origin of captive Galápagos tortoises based on DNA analysis: implications for the management of natural populations. Animal Conservation 2003, 6: 329-337. DOI: 10.1017/s1367943003003408.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNatural populationsMtDNA haplotypesCaptive individualsMtDNA control region haplotypesDistinct mtDNA haplotypesControl region haplotypesMultilocus microsatellite genotypesCaptive breeding programsSpecies management plansNumber of breedersLonesome GeorgeCharles Darwin Research StationCR haplotypesEvolutionary originGalápagos tortoisesIsland populationsMicrosatellite genotypesRegion haplotypesGiant tortoisesGalápagos IslandsGalápagos ArchipelagoGeographic originMolecular techniquesHaplotypesCaptive tortoises
2002
Microsatellite analysis of genetic divergence among populations of giant Galápagos tortoises
Ciofi C, Milinkovitch M, Gibbs J, Caccone A, Powell J. Microsatellite analysis of genetic divergence among populations of giant Galápagos tortoises. Molecular Ecology 2002, 11: 2265-2283. PMID: 12406238, DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2002.01617.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGiant Galápagos tortoisesGenetic divergenceGalápagos tortoisesIsland populationsVolcan WolfIndividual island populationsIslands of IsabelaGene flowAdaptive differentiationGenetic structureMtDNA diversityExtant populationsColonization eventsEvolutionary historyMicrosatellite lociDifferent taxaAllelic similarityHeavy exploitationDNA workMicrosatellite analysisDeterministic threatsDistinct populationsTortoisesInteresting modelDivergence