Evidence-Based Conservation of the Indian Star Tortoise

Evidence-Based Conservation of the Indian Star Tortoise

Sub : Env 

Sec : Species in news

Why in News

• A recent study by researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India and Panjab University has identified two genetically distinct groups of Indian star tortoises. The findings aim to inform strategies for conserving and releasing rescued tortoises, ensuring their long-term survival and genetic diversity.

About Indian Star Tortoise:

• Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans
• Shell Pattern: Yellow, star-like radiating patterns on a high-domed, dark shell provide camouflage.
• Diet: Strictly herbivorous, consuming grasses, fruits, and succulents for high-fibre nutrition.
• Behaviour: Diurnal, active in cooler hours, with increased activity during the rainy season.
• Native to India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, thriving in arid scrublands, grasslands, and semi-deserts.
• Breeds during the monsoon (June–November). Females lay 1–10 eggs, incubating for 50–180 days.
• Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN) and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, and illegal pet trade, with tens of thousands trafficked annually.
• Critical to arid ecosystems by aiding seed dispersal.
• Threats: Popularity as exotic pets has made them a target for global wildlife trafficking.
  • Illegal ownership and smuggling are rampant, with frequent seizures across airports and borders.
• Listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, offering the highest legal protection.
• Despite these protections, hundreds of tortoises have been rescued from smuggling attempts this year.
• Two genetically distinct groups were identified:
  • Northwestern Group: Genetically stable despite poaching.
  • Southern Group: Exhibits higher genetic diversity.

Explanation of Genetic Analysis:

• Mitochondrial Genes: Mitochondrial genes are segments of DNA found in the mitochondria; the cellular structures responsible for energy production.
• Unlike nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally and remains relatively conserved across generations.
• It is widely used in genetic studies to understand evolutionary relationships and variations within and between species.
• Cytochrome B: This gene is a highly conserved mitochondrial gene that encodes a protein essential for cellular respiration in mitochondria.
  • Used to identify subspecies-level differentiation among Indian star tortoises.
• NADH Dehydrogenase 4: This gene is part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and is more variable compared to Cytochrome B.
  • Helps detect finer genetic variations within populations of the same species.