Andreas Bandang Hardian, Irhamna Putri Rahmawati, Josephine Vanda Tirtayani, Nathan Rusli, Berta Alviyanto, Randy Kusuma, Adwitiya Irene Kumaralalita, Danuja Widigdaya, Safira Kinanti Pribadi, Tania Salsabila Utari, Fitri Ekasari, Anastasia Cahyakusuma Wahyuningtyas, Rini Widayanti, Herdhanu Jayanto
Generating genetically sustainable assurance colonies of critically endangered Malaysian giant turtles (Orlitia borneensis) for in situ genetic rescue and population reinforcement initiatives requires intensive exploration of genetic profiles, beyond merely providing reproductive viable individuals. When a pedigree and history report are unavailable, a conservation breeding programme requires additional genetic information to assess the individual's relatedness and prevent inbreeding and crossbreeding. We proposed a genetic-distance-based parental candidate determination using sequence analyses of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunits 8 and 6 (ATP86), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), cytochrome B (CytB), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4). Our study aimed to explore population structure, haplotypes, presumptive genetic localities, and potential genetic markers to identify individuals as potential founder and parental stockfor breeding. Our primers successfully amplified partial sequences of the aforementioned encoding genes. Sequence analyses and median-joining haplotype computation revealed potential geographic localities and haplotypes, indicating the presence of conserved populations of the Malaysian giant turtles in Malaysia and Indonesia. Moreover, there was evidence of the establishment of island-based localities in the Sumatra-Belitung cluster population. Our study suggested that more haplotypes and localities, based on Malaysian giant turtle genetics, need to be considered in the captive breeding programme. These genetic data provide a critical basis for optimizing pairing strategies among breeding individuals, reducing the risk of inbreeding and supporting the retention of genetic diversity within the Malaysian giant turtle (Orlitia borneensis) population. © 2026 @author(s).
Yayasan Konservasi Alam Yogyakarta-Wildlife Rescue Centre Jogja, Yogyakarta, 55167, Indonesia; Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65151, Indonesia; Gembira Loka Zoo, Jalan Kebun Raya No. 2, Yogyakarta, 55171, Indonesia; Indonesia Herpetofauna Foundation, Bogor, 16923, Indonesia; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65151, Indonesia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; KONKLUSI-Kolaborasi Inklusi Konservasi (Yayasan), Sleman, 55284, Indonesia
