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Genetic Diversity of Tomistoma schlegelii Inferred from mtDNA Markers

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Abstract

The genetic diversity of the endangered crocodile Tomistoma schlegelii was characterized using the protein coding ND 6-tRNAglu-cyt b and the cytochrome b-control region (cyt b-CR) markers. Concatenate data revealed six haplotypes with an overall haplotype diversity of 0.769 ± 0.039; nucleotide diversity was 0.00535 ± 0.00172. A nearest-neighbor analysis showed that all individuals clustered with four geographic regions (Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and East Kalimantan) and were genetically differentiated. With the exception of the individuals from haplotype H2, which occurred in both Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, all other haplotypes were geographically distinct. The H4 lineage, which was found to be the most divergent, clustered exclusively in the basal clade in all phylogenetic trees, and the haplotype network was unconnected at the 95% reconnection limit, suggesting further investigation to establish its possible status as a distinct evolutionary significant unit or a cryptic species.

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Acknowledgments

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP), Forest Department of Sarawak and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), and Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI) were counterparts in providing assistance in permits and field staffs. We would like to thank the Director Generals, Dato Abdul Rashid Samsudin of DWNP, Dato Haji Len Talif Salleh of SFC, and Ir. Ahmad J. Arief from LIPI for participating in this work. We extend our appreciation to the officers of these government bodies, Dr. Sandie Choong, Dr. Abraham Matthews and Mr. Rauf Kadir (DWNP), Mr. Engkamat Lading (SFC), Dr. Gono Semiadi and Hellen Kurniati (LIPI), and all their staffs involved in assisting with the sample collection. We thank Zoo Negara, Melaka Zoo, Taiping Zoo, Temerloh Mini Zoo, and the crocodile farms in Kuching and Miri, Sarawak, and their personnel for assisting in sample collections in Malaysia. Similarly for Indonesian sampling, we appreciate the interest in this study and the hospitality of Mr. Rachmat Wiradinata and Erik Wiradinata of PT Ekanindya, Mr. Tarto Suroso Sugiarto of CV Surya Raya, and Mr. Resit Sozer of Cikananga Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and their staffs. We also thank the Singapore Zoo and Hong Kong Wetland Park for participating in this study by providing the much needed samples. We would also like to thank Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Malaysia, S.O.S. Rhino, Sabah, Malaysia, Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Population (Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten und Populationsschutz, ZGAP), and BOH Plantations Sdn. Bhd for funding this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000, Kajang, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

    Lee Kim Chong

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 53300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Taranjeet Kaur

  3. Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Alan H. K. Ong

  4. Forestry Department Sarawak, Wisma Sumber Alam, 93660, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

    Mohamad Shahbudin Sabki

  5. Ex-situ Conservation Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia, KM 10, Jalan Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Jeffrine Rovie Ryan Japning

  6. Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Zoology Division, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Widyasatwa Loka, Jl. Raya Cibonong Km. 46, Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia

    Irvan Sidik

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  1. Taranjeet Kaur
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Correspondence to Alan H. K. Ong.

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Kaur, T., Japning, J.R.R., Sabki, M.S. et al. Genetic Diversity of Tomistoma schlegelii Inferred from mtDNA Markers. Biochem Genet 51, 275–295 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-012-9562-9

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