Reference Genomes for Conservation – Copy
Creating open-access genomic resources for researchers worldwide
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.
For turtle conservation, reference genomes are critical. Once created, they are made publicly available, allowing scientists around the world to apply modern genomic tools to study endangered species.
These reference maps enable researchers to detect inbreeding, measure genetic diversity, identify unique lineages, and understand how turtles adapt to their environments. Because anyone can access and use them, reference genomes dramatically expand global capacity for conservation genetics and accelerate the development of science-based recovery strategies.
Many turtle species still lack these foundational resources, and building them opens the door to more precise and effective conservation efforts worldwide.
Adopt A Species
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
Mexican 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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