Using DNA Barcoding to Determine if Minnesota Ornate Box Turtles are Native or Introduced
Presenter(s)
Jenna Bolduan, Emma Olson, and Daniel Shaughnessy
Abstract
The ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) is native to the southeastern U.S., with its range extending northwards into southern Wisconsin (with a disjunct population along the Wisconsin River). The ornate box turtle is not believed to exist in Minnesota, but several individuals were found in the Weaver Sand Dunes in 2024. The goal of this research is to determine if the Minnesota turtles are native or were introduced to the Weaver Sand Dunes. Partial cytochrome b (1097 bp) and cytochrome oxidase (140 bp) sequences were generated and compared to sequences of the same species across its range from GenBank to determine if the individuals found are native or introduced to Minnesota.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Biology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Amy Runck
Start Date
4-24-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
4-24-2025 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
62
Using DNA Barcoding to Determine if Minnesota Ornate Box Turtles are Native or Introduced
The ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata) is native to the southeastern U.S., with its range extending northwards into southern Wisconsin (with a disjunct population along the Wisconsin River). The ornate box turtle is not believed to exist in Minnesota, but several individuals were found in the Weaver Sand Dunes in 2024. The goal of this research is to determine if the Minnesota turtles are native or were introduced to the Weaver Sand Dunes. Partial cytochrome b (1097 bp) and cytochrome oxidase (140 bp) sequences were generated and compared to sequences of the same species across its range from GenBank to determine if the individuals found are native or introduced to Minnesota.
Comments
No poster file.