Abstract
M.Sc.
Southern Africa has the world's greatest diversity of terrestrial and freshwater
turtles. The law on turtles kept as pets recently changed and in the process
conservation authorities have confiscated numerous terrestrial and freshwater
turtles. Relocating programs was an obvious solution but the contamination of
healthy gene pools is a big concern. As a result this study involved the
determination of genetic variation within and between two freshwater turtle species
(Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios sinuatus). Hematological and biochemical
plasma parameters and Hematozoa infections of the latter two species were
studied, which are important for ecologists, veterinarians and nature
conservationists. The phylogeny of selected freshwater (Pelomedusidae) and
terrestrial (Testudinidae) turtles was also studied and is yet another important
aspect regarding relocation programs.
Results indicated that the hematological and biochemical plasma parameters
compare well with previous studies on various turtle species. The baseline data
described will be useful in the nutritional management and clinical monitoring of
captive and free-ranging helmeted (P. subrufa) and serrated hinged (P. sinuatus)
turtles. Allozyme electrophoresis was used to study the amount of variation within
and differentiation between both freshwater species and results indicated that both
comprise healthy gene pools, but they need to be monitored on a regular basis.
Monitoring is important because changes could occur in time as a result of various
factors such as habitat destruction, inbreeding, selection for certain traits, ect.
Phylogenetic relationships among seven turtle taxa, representing all South
African genus species, were examined by allozyme electrophoresis. Phylogenetic
Phylogenetic relationships among seven turtle taxa, representing all South
African genus species, were examined by allozyme electrophoresis. Phylogenetic
(phenetic and cladistic) analysis grouped the two freshwater genus species
together and separate from the terrestrial genus species. On genus level Chersina
was grouped with Geochelone, with Kinixys being a sister taxon Df the latter
grouping and separate from the grouping of Homopus with Psammobates. This
result is in congruence with the limited morphological information available. As far
as could be ascertained, this is the first available data set of blood physiology
parameters, variation and phylogenetic relationships based on genetic methods in
selected turtle species.