Design of SNP markers for Aldabra giant tortoises using low coverage ddRAD-seq

Abstract The Aldabra giant tortoise ( Aldabrachelys gigantea ) is one of only two remaining species worldwide. Captive-bred A. are being used in rewilding projects the Western Indian Ocean to functionally replace extinct endemic and restore degraded island ecosystems. Furthermore, large-scale translocations may become necessary as rising sea levels threaten wild population on low-lying Atoll. Critical management decisions would be greatly facilitated by insights genetic structure breeding populations. We a double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) approach identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) among additional captive populations . A total 1674 unlinked, putatively neutral genome-wide SNPs were identified. values expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.33 0.5, whereas minor allele frequency 0.20 0.5. These novel SNP markers will serve useful tools for informing conservation