Molecular study of globally threatened turtle species (families Trionychidae and Geoemydidae) of Uttarakhand and their relationship with other Indian populations: A wildlife forensic and conservation genetic approach

A DNA reference library was generated, and a phylogenetic assessment of 11 turtle species (in nine genera and two families) from Uttarakhand was carried out. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences were generated, and the data were compared with published data available for a group from northeastern India to identify geographical signatures. The NJ approach was used to resolve the species taxonomy. A population-level comparative study indicated that most of the turtle species from the northern and northeastern parts of India have geographical genetic signatures. The results of this study can be used to delineate boundaries between or within species and populations. This study will be of use to law enforcement agencies in identifying species effectively in wildlife offence cases.