Scientific study shows the existence of giant tortoises with genes of the species
It drives to the Galapagos National Park to a multi-institutional project for the recovery of giant Galapagos turtles.
Scientific research found 17 tortoises from Pinta ancestry, he came from the Lonesome George, who died last June 24.
The death of Lonesome George, last June 24, does not represent the end of the species of giant tortoises (Chelonoidis abingdonii) Pinta Island, as a study conducted as part of the collaboration between the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) and Yale University and received the financial support of the Galapagos Conservancy, among its findings, demonstrating the existence of 17 tortoises from Pinta ancestry, they that inhabit the Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island.
The results of genetic research on the Galapagos giant tortoises will be published in a paper that has been submitted to the scientific journal Biological Conservation. It outlines the discovery of several unrelated individuals with partial descent Pinta and possibly some first-generation hybrids, genetically speaking.
The study identified nine females, three males and five young genes of the species of giant tortoise from Pinta, after analyzing more than 1,600 samples collected in 2008 in the Wolf volcano.
Researchers at Yale University, compared the DNA in museum specimens of the Pinta tortoises and Lonesome George. After the result scientists suggest the possible existence of additional hybrids Wolf volcano, even individuals-possibly-pure Pinta.
The discovery marks the first step toward recovery of the species Chelonidis abingdonii, through a program of captive breeding and rearing, that option is evaluated by the GNP.
Hypothesis
One theory that explains the existence of Pinta and Floreana tortoises and other hybrid on the slopes of Volcano Wolf, which is attributed to the transfer made in the years 1800 sailors from whaling ships that collected food for turtles elsewhere the archipelago, and when no longer needed them threw them overboard.
For the GNP, this discovery is of great importance in terms of the ecological restoration of the Pinta Island, because through reproduction and captive breeding of turtles with genes of that island, the future could not only restore the ecological integrity of the but the island of Pinta tortoises lineage.
Research will continue in the coming years with a series of expeditions to Volcano Wolf, to catch the 17 individuals identified with Pinta genes and to collect blood samples from individuals sampled Pinta morphology and try to find other hybrids and pure individuals.
Project
In addition, the GNP supported by researchers who participated in the workshop held last giant tortoises July, driven by a multi-institutional project for the recovery of the giant tortoise in the Galapagos Islands during the next 10 years.
Main objective includes the restoration of all existing turtle populations and their home islands, and the reintegration of breeding populations of giant tortoises from Pinta Island, Floreana and Santa Fe
Prepared by Galapagos National ParkPublic Relations Process For more information, email as at: info@dpng.gob.ec
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