Design of SNP markers for Aldabra giant tortoises using low coverage ddRAD-seq

Researchers have developed a set of 1674 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), a critically important species for conservation and rewilding efforts in the Western Indian Ocean. These markers, identified using low-coverage double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq), provide valuable genetic insights with high expected heterozygosity (0.33–0.5) and minor allele frequency (0.20–0.5). The study analyzed wild populations on Aldabra Atoll alongside captive-bred individuals, offering tools to inform conservation strategies, including large-scale translocations needed due to rising sea levels threatening the species' survival. This work bridges genetic research with practical conservation applications, aiding efforts to restore degraded ecosystems by functionally replacing extinct endemic tortoises.

Çilingir, F. G., Hansen, D., Ozgul, A., & Grossen, C. (2021). Design of SNP markers for Aldabra giant tortoises using low coverage ddRAD-seq. Conservation Genetics Resources, 13(4), 409–412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-021-01225-4