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Extent of introgressive hybridization in the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) from the south of France

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Abstract

The Western subspecies of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni: WT) is threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, wildfires, illegal harvesting, and likely hybridization with Testudo hermanni boettgeri (ET), a subspecies introduced from Eastern Europe. To assess the prevalence of this hybridization, we used microsatellite markers and simulations to investigate the genetic status of 565 individuals of the Var district (France) in contrast to the genetic signature of 121 individuals sampled in the Balkans. The genetic differentiation between WT and ET indicated 18% of tortoises in the Var were hybrids between WT and ET (i.e. F1, F2, and F3). Although hybridization increases the genetic diversity within the genetically impoverished WT population, hybridization could also threaten WT genetic integrity. Identifying and removing all hybridized individuals (especially beyond F1) is logistically unfeasible. Instead, conservation actions should reinforce communication and education, notably towards pet owners, to limit further hybridization. Moreover, accurate genetic identification of captives is essential to programs that involve translocating individuals to fragile populations (e.g. those severely impacted by bush fires). Further studies should assess the extent that WT/ET hybridization is detrimental or beneficial to populations facing rapid global changes in the context of depressed genetic diversity.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the platform GenSeq from the LabEx CeMEB (Montpellier) for DNA extraction facilities. We thank the CEN PACA, CAVEM, and Conseil General 83 for their collaboration and providing accessibility to the study sites. This study conducted under the permits issued by prefectural authorities and DDTM (13 July 2012, 26 February 2013 and no. 83-2015/02 FAUNE on 23 March 2015) for France and issued by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of North Macedonia with number УП11/1-254/2019 for Macedonia.

Funding

This work was funded by the Klaus Zegarski Foundation for Mediterranean tortoise protection and conservation, the DREAL PACA and the National Action Plan for Hermann's tortoise conservation, the 2015–2020 State-Region Planning Contracts (CPER), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), the partnership arrangements in ecology and the environment (DIPEE) and intramural funds from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, and the University of Poitiers.

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  1. N. Bech and D. Nivelle are co-first authors

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR CNRS 7267, Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France

    N. Bech

  2. CRCC Centre for Research and Conservation of Chelonians, SOPTOM, Carnoules, Var, France

    D. Nivelle, S. Caron & J. M. Ballouard

  3. CEFE, University Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University (Biogeography and Vertebrate Ecology), IRD, Montpellier, France

    V. Arnal & C. Montgelard

  4. Macedonian Ecological Society, Arhimedova 5, Skopje, North Macedonia

    D. Arsovski

  5. Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, Belgrade, Serbia

    A. Golubović

  6. UMR-7372, CEBC, CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, Villiers en Bois, France

    X. Bonnet

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  1. N. Bech
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Correspondence to N. Bech.

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We sacrificed no animals. To limit harm to tortoises, we collected small volumes (< 200 µl) of blood by a puncture of the dorsal supra-carapacial cervical plexus using 1 ml syringes and small needles (27 G and 30 G; Bonnet et al. 2016b). As recommended in Beaupre et al. (2004), we minimized handling time by not anesthetising tortoises, and cleaned the puncture wound with an antiseptic solution before releasing the tortoise.

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Bech, N., Nivelle, D., Caron, S. et al. Extent of introgressive hybridization in the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) from the south of France. Eur J Wildl Res 68, 37 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-022-01585-8

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