2005/07/05 by Michael A. Russello, Scott Glaberman, James P. Gibbs +3 · 6 citations
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Turtle Biology and Conservation #Genetic diversity and population structure #Identification and Quantification in Food #Biology #Taxon #Endangered species #Taxonomy (biology) #Tortoise #Evolutionary biology #Ecology #Genetic diversity #Phylogenetic tree #Warrant #Zoology #Population #Genetics
paper · doi:10.1098/rsbl.2005.0317
openalex publication_date 2005/07/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
As once boldly stated, 'bad taxonomy can kill', highlighting the critical importance of accurate taxonomy for the conservation of endangered taxa. The concept continues to evolve almost 15 years later largely because most legal protections aimed at preserving biological diversity are based on formal taxonomic designations. In this paper we report unrecognized genetic divisions within the giant tortoises of the Galápagos. We found three distinct lineages among populations formerly considered a single taxon on the most populous and accessible island of Santa Cruz; their diagnosability, degree of genetic divergence and phylogenetic placement merit the recognition of at least one new taxon. These results demonstrate the fundamental importance of continuing taxonomic investigations to recognize biological diversity and designate units of conservation, even within long-studied organisms such as Galápagos tortoises, whose evolutionary heritage and contribution to human intellectual history warrant them special attention.