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Published on: May 13, 2019
Umbilical Cord: A Non-Invasive DNA Source for Sea Turtle Genomics
Gisela Marín-Capuz1, Elena Abella2, Marta Pascual1
1Department de Genética, Microbiología y Estadística & IRBio, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Molecular Ecology Resources
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Umbilical cords (UCs) are a reliable, non-invasive DNA source for loggerhead turtle hatchlings, especially from incubator-hatched eggs. This method aids conservation genomics by minimizing disturbance during sample collection.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Genomics
- Marine Biology
- Molecular Ecology
Background:
- High-throughput sequencing advances genomics in non-model species.
- Non-invasive sampling is crucial for marine wildlife like sea turtles.
- Traditional methods pose challenges for hatchling sampling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate umbilical cords (UCs) as a non-invasive DNA source for loggerhead turtle hatchlings.
- To assess UC genetic origin and prevalence under varied incubation conditions.
- To advance genomic analysis for conservation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 76 samples (including UCs and blood) from loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) using 2bRAD.
- Percentage of Shared Genotypes (PSG) analysis to compare UC and blood DNA.
- Evaluation of UC prevalence across artificial and natural incubation environments.
Main Results:
- UC genotypes closely matched hatchling blood genotypes (97.7% PSG).
- UC prevalence varied significantly with incubation type (100% in artificial vs. 4.5% in natural Cape Verde nests).
- Lower PSG values were observed between related (73.5%) and unrelated (56.5%) individuals.
Conclusions:
- Umbilical cords provide a reliable non-invasive DNA source for loggerhead turtle hatchlings.
- UC sampling is particularly effective for incubator-hatched eggs.
- This method facilitates genomic studies while minimizing disturbance, supporting conservation efforts.
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