Central American River Turtle (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

Central American River Turtle

Caption

A genetic study focusing on the Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawii) recently turned up surprising results for a team of Smithsonian scientists involved in conserving this critically endangered species. Small tissue samples collected from 238 wild turtles at 15 different locations across their range in Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala revealed a "surprising lack" of genetic structure.

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Photo courtesy of Gracia González-Porter

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