2022, Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A
DNA barcode analysis of the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the breeding grounds of Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria
Author(s): Olusola Sokefun
Abstract: The Nigerian coastline is long and heavily populated. It is also the nesting site of a huge numbers of species that are dependent on that ecosystem for their reproduction cycle. Artisanal fishermen and the local populace are dependent on these species as a cheap and alternative source of protein. The Sea Turtles having been classified as threatened by the IUCN are a major part of that ecosystem. Currently, there is however a dearth of research works on the species. The usefulness of the DNA barcoding region (CO1) of the mitochondrial genome is used to analyze populations of Chelonia mydas along Badagry beach in Lagos, Nigeria. Seven samples were obtained and CO1 sequences were generated from them. Twenty seven more sequences were harvested from the GenBank of which only five were used in the final analysis either because there were errors (insertions, deletions or stop codons) or because of redundancies. A Six hundred and Eighteen (618bp) index free sequences was obtained. The intraspecific divergence in the Nigerian samples was very low, being between 0.00 and 0.002, while the intraspecific distance when the other sequences were added increased a bit ranging from 0.002 to 0.54. Neighbor- joining phylogenetic tree produced two distinct clade, with the Nigerian samples being clearly mapped into one with bootstrap value of 100% while others mapped into another. The best substitution model is TN93+G. The Tajima index was also very low indicating a population with very low genetic divergence. The average codon usage also followed the pattern A (29.3) > C (28.7) > T (27.3)> and a G (14.8). An expansion of the sampling points and increase number of samples is recommended for a more robust ideal of the relatedness within and without.
DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2022.v3.i2a.75
Pages: 40-43 | Views: 580 | Downloads: 282
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How to cite this article:
Olusola Sokefun. DNA barcode analysis of the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the breeding grounds of Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Acta Entomol Zool 2022;3(2):40-43. DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2022.v3.i2a.75
