Reference Genomes for Conservation
Creating open-access genomic resources for researchers worldwide
What is a reference genome?
A reference genome is a high-quality, complete map of an organism’s DNA—essentially a detailed blueprint of all its genes. It acts as the master guide scientists use to assemble and interpret DNA sequences from other individuals of the same species. Without this guide, genomic data are like puzzle pieces without the picture on the box: the pieces exist, but it’s difficult to know how they fit together.
Why do reference genomes matter for conservation?
When scientists have them, they can quickly spot problems such as inbreeding, assess the level of genetic diversity, and learn how turtles survive in their habitats. Because these DNA maps are free for anyone to use, they help researchers everywhere find better ways to protect endangered turtles faster.
Adopt A Turtle
Only 11 of 59 native U.S. species currently have a reference genome. Advances in sequencing technology have dramatically reduced the cost. What once cost nearly $1 million per species can now be completed for about $8,500. Your adoption directly funds the creation of these essential, open-access reference genomes for species that still lack them.
Western Pond Turtle
Actinemys pallida
Florida Softshell Turtle
Apalone ferox
Smooth Softshell Turtle
Apalone mutica
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Apalone spinifera
Chicken Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia
Bog Turtle
Glyptemys muhlenbergii
Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
Texas Tortoise
Gopherus berlandieri
Bolson Tortoise
Gopherus flavomarginatus
Morafka’s Desert Tortoise
Gopherus morafkai
Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
Barbour’s Map Turtle
Graptemys barbouri
Cagle’s Map Turtle
Graptemys caglei
Escambia Map Turtle
Graptemys ernsti
Yellow-blotched Map Turtle
Graptemys flavimaculata
Pascagoula Map Turtle
Graptemys gibbonsi
Black-knobbed Map Turtle
Graptemys nigrinoda
Ringed Map Turtle
Graptemys oculifera
Ouachita Map Turtle
Graptemys ouachitensis
Pearl River Map Turtle
Graptemys pearlensis
False Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica
Alabama Map Turtle
Graptemys pulchra
Sabine Map Turtle
Graptemys sabinensis
Texas Map Turtle
Graptemys versa
Striped Mud Turtle
Kinosternon baurii
Yellow Mud Turtle
Kinosternon flavescens
Rough-footed Mud Turtle
Kinosternon hirtipes
Sonoran Mud Turtle
Kinosternon sonoriense
Florida Mud Turtle
Kinosternon steindachneri
Eastern Mud Turtle
Kinosternon subrubrum
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
Pseudemys alabamensis
River Cooter
Pseudemys concinna
Florida Cooter
Pseudemys floridana
Rio Grande Cooter
Pseudemys gorzugi
Florida Red-bellied Cooter
Pseudemys nelsoni
Peninsula Cooter
Pseudemys peninsularis
Northern Red-bellied Turtle
Pseudemys rubriventris
Texas Cooter
Pseudemys texana
Razor-backed Musk Turtle
Sternotherus carinatus
Flattened Musk Turtle
Sternotherus depressus
Intermediate Musk Turtle
Sternotherus intermedius
Loggerhead Musk Turtle
Sternotherus minor
Striped-necked Musk Turtle
Sternotherus peltifer
Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina
Ornate Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata
Slider Turtle
Trachemys scripta
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