Genetic tools provide a path for understanding key gaps in sea turtle conservation biology. Yet reference genomes are available for just two of the seven sea turtle species. This project will build high quality, annotated reference genomes for the five remaining sea turtle species to inform strategies for population recovery and resilience.

Swimming sea turtle, isolated | Wild Genomes Feature | Revive & Restore

The seven extant sea turtle species inhabit all oceans (except the polar regions) and face varying threats worldwide. Genetic tools provide a path for understanding key gaps in sea turtle conservation biology—from identifying the origins of illegally traded sea turtle products to determining the turtles’ adaptive capacity under climate change.

Yet reference genomes are available for just two sea turtle species: the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Green (Chelonia mydas). This project will result in high quality, annotated reference genomes for the other five species:

Flatback (Natator depressus)—IUCN Insufficient Data
Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)—IUCN Critically Endangered
Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)— IUCN Critically Endangered
Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)—IUCN Vulnerable
Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)— IUCN Vulnerable

This collection will serve to unify conservation applications of genomic tools in the sea turtle community to attain top priority goals for population recovery and resilience. This project will serve as a model for similar projects that target larger groups of related species under management, particularly in the world’s developing regions.