M. Tabib, H. Zolgharnein, M. Mohammadi, M.A. Salari-Aliabadi, A. Qasemi, S. Roshani, H. Rajabi-Maham and F. Frootan
Published: July 25, 2011
Genet. Mol. Res. 10 (3): 1499-1503
DOI: 10.4238/vol10-3gmr1148

Cite this Article:
M. Tabib, H. Zolgharnein, M. Mohammadi, M.A. Salari-Aliabadi, A. Qasemi, S. Roshani, H. Rajabi-Maham and F. Frootan (2011). Genetic diversity of sea turtles (hawksbill turtle) in the Persian Gulf revealed by mitochondrial DNA analysis. Genet. Mol. Res. 10(3): 1499-1503. 10.4238/vol10-3gmr1148

About the Authors:
M. Tabib, H. Zolgharnein, M. Mohammadi, M.A. Salari-Aliabadi, A. Qasemi, S. Roshani, H. Rajabi-Maham and F. Frootan
Corresponding author: H. Zolgharnein
E-mail: zolgharnein@kmsu.ac.ir

ABSTRACT
Genetic diversity of sea turtles (hawksbill turtle) was studied using sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA, D-loop region). Thirty dead embryos were collected from the Kish and Qeshm Islands in the Persian Gulf. Analysis of sequence variation over 890 bp of the mtDNA control region revealed five haplotypes among 30 individuals. This is the first time that Iranian haplotypes have been recorded. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity was 0.77 and 0.001 for Qeshm Island and 0.64 and 0.002 for Kish Island, respectively. Total haplotype diversity was calculated as 0.69, which demonstrates low genetic diversity in this area. The data also indicated very high rates of migration between the populations of these two islands. A comparison of our data with data from previous studies downloaded from a gene bank showed that turtles of the Persian Gulf migrated from the Pacific and the Sea of Oman into this area. On the other hand, evidence of migration from populations to the West was not found.

Key words: Genetic diversity; Sea turtles; Persian Gulf; D-loop; Mitochondrial gene; Phylogenetic analysis.