Desert Tortoises in Zion National Park Represent a Natural Extension of Their Range

Chava L. Weitzman; Bridgette E. Hagerty; Franziska C. Sandmeier; C. Richard Tracy

doi:10.2744/CCB-1457.1

Desert Tortoises in Zion National Park Represent a Natural Extension of Their Range

Chava L. Weitzman, Bridgette E. Hagerty, Franziska C. Sandmeier, C. Richard Tracy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The northeastern extreme of the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) distribution near Zion National Park in Utah is contested as a natural range limit because of its suboptimal habitat and known anthropogenic movements of tortoises. In this study, we added microsatellite data from nine tortoises from the Zion area to a previously published population genetic analysis to determine the tortoises' likely origins. Our results suggest that both anthropogenic tortoise movements and descendants of local tortoises make up the individuals found near Zion.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	91-96
Number of pages	6
Journal	Chelonian Conservation and Biology
Volume	20
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1457.1
Publication status	Published - May 2021
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-1447692. Funding was also provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (1320-114-23DZ). Samples were collected under the following permits: US Fish and Wildlife Service 10(a)1(A) Recovery Permit No. TE076710-8; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Permit 5COLL8886; National Parks Service Permit ZION-2012-SCI-0006; and University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocol 00555.

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title = "Desert Tortoises in Zion National Park Represent a Natural Extension of Their Range",

abstract = "The northeastern extreme of the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) distribution near Zion National Park in Utah is contested as a natural range limit because of its suboptimal habitat and known anthropogenic movements of tortoises. In this study, we added microsatellite data from nine tortoises from the Zion area to a previously published population genetic analysis to determine the tortoises' likely origins. Our results suggest that both anthropogenic tortoise movements and descendants of local tortoises make up the individuals found near Zion.",

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author = "Weitzman, {Chava L.} and Hagerty, {Bridgette E.} and Sandmeier, {Franziska C.} and Tracy, {C. Richard}",

note = "Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-1447692. Funding was also provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (1320-114-23DZ). Samples were collected under the following permits: US Fish and Wildlife Service 10(a)1(A) Recovery Permit No. TE076710-8; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Permit 5COLL8886; National Parks Service Permit ZION-2012-SCI-0006; and University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocol 00555. ",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.2744/CCB-1457.1",

language = "English",

volume = "20",

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AU - Sandmeier, Franziska C.

AU - Tracy, C. Richard

N1 - Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-1447692. Funding was also provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (1320-114-23DZ). Samples were collected under the following permits: US Fish and Wildlife Service 10(a)1(A) Recovery Permit No. TE076710-8; Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Permit 5COLL8886; National Parks Service Permit ZION-2012-SCI-0006; and University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocol 00555.

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N2 - The northeastern extreme of the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) distribution near Zion National Park in Utah is contested as a natural range limit because of its suboptimal habitat and known anthropogenic movements of tortoises. In this study, we added microsatellite data from nine tortoises from the Zion area to a previously published population genetic analysis to determine the tortoises' likely origins. Our results suggest that both anthropogenic tortoise movements and descendants of local tortoises make up the individuals found near Zion.

AB - The northeastern extreme of the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) distribution near Zion National Park in Utah is contested as a natural range limit because of its suboptimal habitat and known anthropogenic movements of tortoises. In this study, we added microsatellite data from nine tortoises from the Zion area to a previously published population genetic analysis to determine the tortoises' likely origins. Our results suggest that both anthropogenic tortoise movements and descendants of local tortoises make up the individuals found near Zion.

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KW - microsatellites

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JF - Chelonian Conservation and Biology

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ER -

Desert Tortoises in Zion National Park Represent a Natural Extension of Their Range

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