Sibelle T Vilaça
Population genetics,
wildlife conservation, evolutionary genetics
Sea turtle hybrids
Have you seen a hybrid?
Sea turtles are endangered long-lived species with a fascinating hybridization system, as they are one of the oldest lineages capable to naturally hybridize and generate viable and fertile offspring. Of the seven extant species, five are known to hybridize. The hybrids comprise a wide range of interspecies divergence: species separated between 18 to 55 million years are capable of intercrossing. While Brazil is known for its uniquely high frequency of hybrids, other regions of the world are now often reporting their presence among nesting females and hatchlings.
Our Project
In collaboration with a global network of sea turtle experts, we will study the genomes of sea turtles and their hybrids sampled in worldwide populations to understand:
1) how ancient gene flow influence the hybridization patterns today;
2) describe genomic regions derived from archaic hybridization;
3) if hybridization is a potentially beneficial evolutionary process to sea turtles.
The generated dataset from whole genomes will also allow the estimate of key population genetic parameters, important for species' conservation (e.g., genetic diversity, effective population size, genetic erosion).
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We continue to look for other populations outside of Bahia, Brazil, where hybrids are found. If you have seen a hybrid, can collect biological samples, and want to contribute to our project, please get in touch through email or the contact page! We are also interested in rookeries where two or more sea turtle species nest but no hybrids are yet described. All sample providers will be co-authors in any publication that the sample is used.
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Have you seen a sea turtle hybrid?
Meet the team
Will soon be available!
Funding
Italian Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR)
