Multiple paternity and sperm storage in captive Hermann's tortoises, Testudo hermanni boettgeri determined from amniotic fluid adhering to the eggshell

Mol Cell Probes. 2015 Aug;29(4):254-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mcp.2015.05.009. Epub 2015 May 21.

Abstract

We identified multiple paternity in 52.9% of the clutches of Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni boettgeri using polymorphic microsatellite markers. In addition we demonstrated sperm storage across seasons. DNA was extracted from the amniotic fluid adhering to the eggshell's inner surface, a procedure suitable for easy, non-invasive DNA sampling in conservation and breeding programs. To improve the informative value of monomorphic single tandem repeat (STR) markers we additionally analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variability.

Keywords: Conservation; Eggshell; Multiple paternity; Sperm storage; Testudo hermanni boettgeri; Tortoise.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Male
  • Mating Preference, Animal
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Ovum / chemistry
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences
  • Turtles / genetics
  • Turtles / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA