JOURACA_SP_2017

Identification of Genetic Units for Conservation
in Endangered Alabama Red-Bellied
Turtle, Pseudemys Alabamensis
Asutin Ray
Abstract
The Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, Pseudemys
alabamensis, is an endangered species
of turtle endemic to only Mississippi and
Alabama in the lower parts of the Mobile
Bay Drainage Basin, the Pascagoula River,
and Back Bay of Biloxi watersheds. In this
project, we compared the known species
occurrence and distribution in Alabama to
land cover type at these sites using ArcGIS
to study how land disturbance (proximity to
agricultural urban sites) affects distribution.
This will provide important data on habitat
suitability for the species and possible barriers
to gene flow. This study will be significant
for conservation efforts for the species
by identifying environmental characteristics
that may represent a threat to this species.
Furthermore, these data will also constitute
the necessary background to further study
the relationship between environmental factors,
such as urbanization, and genetic diversity
in the studied species.
Department of Biology
Biology
Mentor: Ylenia Chiari
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