Molecular analysis of Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii) from Mexico

Background: The Kemp’s ridley turtle(Lepidochelys kempii) is one of six sea turtles that nest in Mexico. Except for a tiny population in the southeast coast of the USA, the species nests exclusively in Mexico. The objective of this study was to provide the first DNA barcodes of Kemp’s ridleys nesting in Mexico and evaluate the intraspecific variation in the COI marker for this species. Results: Sequences from a total of 99 individuals of L. kempii were analyzed. Ninety-two sequences were obtained from tissue samples of dead turtle hatchings or peripheral blood from females nesting in Rancho Nuevo, Aldama, Tamaulipas, Mexico; seven additional sequences were downloaded from BOLD. In total, five different haplotypes were observed. Most sequences (95) belonged to the same haplotype, while four haplotypes were singletons. All haplotypes were found in the same locality, the sanctuary of Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. The average genetic distance within this species had a value of zero. Significance: Data on intraspecific genetic variation is important for species identification, population genetics, and conservation biology. This work provides COI sequences for Lepidochelys kempii and describes new haplotypes for this species.