Genetic variation of the Nile soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis)

Abstract

We studied the genetic structure of Trionyx triunguis populations from the Mediterranean and African continent based on mtDNA D-loop (776 bp) and nine microsatellite loci. A total of 102 polymorphic sites and 13 mtDNA haplotypes were described. Nucleotide diversity and haplotypes diversity were 0.047 and 0.974 respectively. Both mtDNA and nDNA supported the existence of two main management units as the Mediterranean and Africa. Based on the mtDNA results, the Mediterranean can be divided into two subunits; western Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. © 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.