LE3 .A278 2005

2005

Herman, Tom

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

The Nova Scotia population of Blanding’s turtle is small and geographically isolated. Because it is outside the species’ main range, it may be subject to unique selective pressures and may sustain unique biodiversity important to the species survival. Within Nova Scotia, genetic structuring has been demonstrated among three geographically distinct sub-populations. Earlier work in one of these sub-populations (Pleasant River) detected apparent structuring at an even finer scale, despite the lack of apparent physical reproductive barriers. This project aims to confirm and document the extent of this fine scale genetic structuring. DNA extracted from four concentrations within Pleasant River (n=44) was obtained by blood sampling and epithelial scraping. Quantification of microsatellite variation is one of the most widely used measures of genetic variability and is presently the marker of choice for genetic analysis of this population . With the addition of sample size and loci to data from earlier work, we confirm two genetically distinguishable concentrations (FST = 0.13659) within the sampled area, separated by only a short distance (<5km). Differentiation to varying degrees was also found between the other sampled concentrations. Data from the present study indicate that the degree of connectivity of suitable aquatic habitat may contribute to the pattern of genetic structure observed in Pleasant River. This study suggests that conservation and management efforts expended on the Nova Scotia population of Blanding’s turtle should encapsulate naturally occurring “management units†on a spatial scale of <5km.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:451