GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE OLIVE RIDLEY SEA TURTLE -LEPIDOCHELYS OLIVACEA- IN GORGONA NATIONAL NATURAL PARK (COLOMBIAN PACIFIC) FROM MITOCHONDRIAL DNA SEQUENCES

Abstract

To genetic characterize the nesting colony of L. olivacea in Palmeras beach-Gorgona National Natural Park- and to contribute to the implementation of strategies of conservation for the species, a fragment of the mitocondrial DNA control region (D-loop) was sequenced in 29 individuals for studying the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in comparison with data published in GenBank. The analysis of the sequences revealed the presence of two haplotypes N (96.55%) and E (3.45%), according to the sequences reported for this species. The genetic (h) and nucleotide (π) diversity of the studied colony was h=0.069 and π =0.023%, these results corroborate that the Testudines presents a low genetic diversity. These values of diversity are low when they were compared with continental populations of L. olivacea of the South of Baja California (h=0.16 and π=0.06%), Eastern Pacific (h=0.60 and π =0.26%) and east of India (Sri Lanka with h=0.72 and π =2.07%; Orissa with h=0.27 and π=0.3%) in spite of different number of colonies. The analyses of phylogenetic inference, using the Neighbour- Joining method, confirm the cluster of the haplotypes in two geographical regions (eastern Pacific and east India). We conclude that the presence of the haplotype N corroborate the hypothesis of natal homing (adult females return to lay eggs in the general region where they were born) of L. olivacea in Palmeras beach, this information contribute in the definition of management units required for the implementation of conservation strategies for the species.