The genetic foundations of sea turtles that enable them to thrive in oceans are something that scientists have yet to figure out. A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst revealed surprises in the genetic map that might show us the key to how turtles will survive in our rapidly changing ocean—and why some species may not.
The researchers used a new technique, long-read sequencing, which made it possible to sequence genomes accurately from any living species. The sea turtle genomes were sequenced, and the results were surprising. Green and Leatherback turtles have incredibly similar genomes and share a common ancestor from about 60 million years ago. The differences in their genomes were found in the micro-chromosomes and affect immunity. Green turtles evolved more genes, which were dedicated to immunity. This development is key for the longevity of the species, as they are better prepared for the changes in their oceans. The Leatherback turtles also show lower genetic diversity, which is not favorable for evolution, because, despite their resilience thus far, they may not be able to evolve with the harsh environments caused by human activity. Conservation biologists, with this knowledge, are able to make more informed decisions based on the animals at higher risk of extinction genetically.
It's interesting how their genes do not change at the same speed as each other though both turtles having a nearly identical genome. I wonder how their current habitats may have contributed their genomic differs, if at all.
ReplyDeleteThe discovery of immune-related gene changes between Green and Leatherback sea turtles, as well as how this may affect the resilience and propensity of these animals to survive in a changing ocean environment, is a very exciting aspect. The effects of this new research for conservation efforts are considerable and give insightful information about the genetic underpinnings of these marine species.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to read that another species may go extinct because of human activity. I wonder what steps the conservation biologists are taking in order to prevent this from happening. Hopefully they can prevent this extinction from happening. It truly is amazing that we are now able to completely sequence a genome of any species, hopefully we can use this technology to identify the genes preventing leatherback turtles from having a longer life span.
ReplyDeleteHumans may annihilate another species. How are conservationists stopping this? Stop extinction. It's great that we can now sequence every species' genome, so we may uncover the genes preventing leatherback turtles from living longer.
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