Molecular Detection and Optimization of DNA Collection of the Pathogen Ranavirus & Population Genetic Structure of Chrysemys Picta & Sternotherus

The purpose of this research is to identify if two turtle species, Chrysemys picta and Sternotherus odoratus, that reside at Lake Wapalanne located at the New Jersey School of Conservation (Essex Co.), have been infected with the lethal pathogen, Ranavirus. It was unknown if this vicious killer had invaded the animals at this site, however, with recent studies and molecular assays in our lab, it was assessed that the animals were free from this virus. Nonetheless, it has been documented that the pathogen is present at the location, killing many amphibians and fish. The turtles have not shown any physical signs of the virus nor has the virus been detected in their DNA. Thus, the question lies: What is making these two species resistant to this virus knowing that their co-habitants are being killed off by this invader? Thus, we are investigating the levels of genetic diversity at mitochondrial and nuclear markers between the two species, which hold different evolutionary histories, in hopes to identify the reason both of these species have not been infected with the pathogen or show any physical symptoms.