Phylogeographic link between Sicilian and Corso-Sardinian <i>Testudo h. hermanni</i> confirmed

Abstract

Our study confirms that Sicilian and Corso-Sardinian Testudo h. hermanni share a certain mtDNA haplotype, while tortoises from peninsular Italy harbour slightly different haplotypes. When the fossil record is considered, this striking pattern agrees well with the idea of local extinction in Corsica and Sardinia and later replacement by tortoises originating elsewhere, either by natural oversea dispersal or translocation by man.