[8] G**odoy JA. Genetics, molecular markers, and species conservation.** *Ecosistemas.* **2009;18:23-33. [Spanish]**

[9] Griffiths A, Miller J, Suzuki D, Lewontin D, Gelbart W. Genetics. 7th ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill-Interamericana; 2002. 849p. [Spanish]

[10] González-Astorga J, Vovides AP, Ferrer M, Iglesias C. Population Genetics of *Dioon edule* Lindl. (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): Biogeographical and Evolutionary Implications. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 2003;80(3):457-467. https://doi. org10.1046/j.1095-8312.2003.00257.x

[11] Xie J, Jian S, Liu N. Genetic variation in the endemic plant *Cycas debaoensis* on the basis of ISSR analysis. Australian Journal of Botany. 2005;53:141-145. https://doi.org/10.1071/bt04068.

[12] Yang, Y, Li, Y, Li, L-F, Ge, X-J, Gong, X. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for *Cycas debaoensis* YC Zhong et CJ Chen (Cycadaceae). Molecular Ecology Resources. 2008;8:913-915. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02114.x

[13] Cabrera-Toledo D, González-Astorga J, Vovides AP. Heterozygote excess in ancient populations of the critically endangered *Dioon caputoi* (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from central Mexico. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 2008;158:436-447. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2008.00868.x

[14] Zhan QQ, Wang JF, Gong X, Peng H. Patterns of chloroplast DNA variation in *Cycas debaoensis* (Cycadaceae): conservation implications. Conservation Genetics.

**111**

2006;9:529-535.

*The Endangered Species* Dioon edule *in the Sierra Madre Oriental in San Luis Potosí…*

[22] Moynihan J, Meerow A, Francisco-Ortega J. Isolation, characterization and cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in the cycad genus *Dioon* (Zamiaceae). Potential utilization in population genetics studies of *Dioon edule*. Molecular Ecology Notes. 2007;7:72-74.

doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01531.x.

[23] Shuelke M. An economic method for the fluorescent labeling of PCR fragments. Nature Biotechnology. 2000;18:233-34. https://doi.

[24] Blacket MJ, Robin C, Good RT, Lee SF, Miller D. Universal primers for fluorescent labelling of PCR fragments—an efficient and costeffective approach to genotyping by fluorescence. Molecular Ecology Resources. 2012:12: 456-463.

[25] Peakall R, Smouse P. Genalex 6: Genetic Analysis in Excel. Population Genetic Software for Teaching and Research. Molecular Ecology Notes. 2006;6 (1):288-95. doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2005.01155.x.

[26] Yáñez-Espinosa L, Sosa-Sosa F. Population structure of *Dioon purpusii* Rose in Oaxaca, México. Neotropical

González-Espinosa M, Mendoza A, Martínez-Ramos M, Quintana-Ascencio PF. Individual growth, reproduction and population dynamics of *Dioon merolae* (Zamiaceae) under different leaf harvest histories in central Chiapas, México. Forest Ecology and Management. 2011:261:427-439. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.10.028

[28] Velasco-García MV, Valdez-Hernández JI, Ramírez-Herrera C, Hernández-Hernández ML, López-Upton J, López-Mata L, López-Sánchez, H. Structure,

Biology and Conservation.

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[19] Matteucci S, Colma A. Methodology for the study of vegetation. Serie de biología, monografía no. 22. Washington, D. C.: Secretaría General Organización de los Estados Americanos. Programa Regional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico. 1982. [Spanish]

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[22] Moynihan J, Meerow A, Francisco-Ortega J. Isolation, characterization and cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in the cycad genus *Dioon* (Zamiaceae). Potential utilization in population genetics studies of *Dioon edule*. Molecular Ecology Notes. 2007;7:72-74. doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01531.x.

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[24] Blacket MJ, Robin C, Good RT, Lee SF, Miller D. Universal primers for fluorescent labelling of PCR fragments—an efficient and costeffective approach to genotyping by fluorescence. Molecular Ecology Resources. 2012:12: 456-463.

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[26] Yáñez-Espinosa L, Sosa-Sosa F. Population structure of *Dioon purpusii* Rose in Oaxaca, México. Neotropical Biology and Conservation. 2007;2:46-54.

[27] Lázaro-Zermeño JM, González-Espinosa M, Mendoza A, Martínez-Ramos M, Quintana-Ascencio PF. Individual growth, reproduction and population dynamics of *Dioon merolae* (Zamiaceae) under different leaf harvest histories in central Chiapas, México. Forest Ecology and Management. 2011:261:427-439. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.10.028

[28] Velasco-García MV, Valdez-Hernández JI, Ramírez-Herrera C, Hernández-Hernández ML, López-Upton J, López-Mata L, López-Sánchez, H. Structure,

**110**

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

inhabiting contrasting forest

fragment. Biodiversity Conservation. 2008;17:1213-1225. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10531-007-9263-6

[8] G**odoy JA. Genetics, molecular markers, and species conservation.** *Ecosistemas.* **2009;18:23-33. [Spanish]**

[9] Griffiths A, Miller J, Suzuki D, Lewontin D, Gelbart W. Genetics. 7th ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill-

Interamericana; 2002. 849p. [Spanish]

[10] González-Astorga J, Vovides AP, Ferrer M, Iglesias C. Population Genetics of *Dioon edule* Lindl. (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): Biogeographical and Evolutionary Implications. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 2003;80(3):457-467. https://doi. org10.1046/j.1095-8312.2003.00257.x

[11] Xie J, Jian S, Liu N. Genetic variation in the endemic plant *Cycas debaoensis* on the basis of ISSR analysis. Australian Journal of Botany. 2005;53:141-145. https://doi.org/10.1071/bt04068.

[13] Cabrera-Toledo D, González-Astorga J, Vovides AP. Heterozygote excess in ancient populations of the critically endangered *Dioon caputoi* (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) from central Mexico. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 2008;158:436-447. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2008.00868.x

[14] Zhan QQ, Wang JF, Gong X, Peng H. Patterns of chloroplast DNA

implications. Conservation Genetics.

variation in *Cycas debaoensis* (Cycadaceae): conservation

[12] Yang, Y, Li, Y, Li, L-F, Ge, X-J, Gong, X. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for *Cycas debaoensis* YC Zhong et CJ Chen (Cycadaceae). Molecular Ecology Resources. 2008;8:913-915. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02114.x

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org/10.15381/rpb.v27i2.15015

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[46] Mathiasen P, Rovere A, Premoli A. Genetic Structure and Early Effects of Inbreeding in Fragmented Temperate Forest of a Self-Incompatible Tree, *Embothrium coccineum*. Conservation

doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00565.x.

Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 2012;40:6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.

[48] Augspurger CK. Seedling survival of tropical tree species: Interactions of dispersal distance, light gaps, and pathogens. Ecology. 1984;65:1705-1712.

https://doi.org/10.2307/1937766

[49] Allendorf FW, Luikart GH. Conservation and the Genetics of Populations. 2nd ed. UK:Blackwell

Publishing. 2007 ISBN: 978-0-470-67146-7

bse.2011.09.004

[47] Cabrera-Toledo D, González-Astorga J, Flores-Vázquez J. Fine-scale spatial genetic structure in two mexican cycad species *Dioon caputoi* and *Dioon merolae* (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): Implications for conservation.

Biology. 2006;21 (1):232-40.

org/10.2307/2260640

ix+86 pp.

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[42] Stevenson DW. Radial growth in the Cycadales. American Journal of Botany. 1980;67:465-475. https://doi. org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1980.tb07674.x

*Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America*

associates of *Cycas media* (Cycadaceae)

in Australia. Botanical Gazette. 1991;152:203-107. https://doi.

[36] Watkinson AR, Powell JC. The life history and population structure of *Cycas armstrongii* in monsoonal northern Australia. Oecologia. 1997;111:341-349. https://doi. org/10.1007/s004420050244

[37] Nicolalde-Morejón, F. Ecology and Taxonomy of *Zamia* in Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador: Fundación Ecuatoriana para la Investigación y Desarrollo de la Botánica, Boletín 9; 2001. [Spanish]

[38] Pérez-Farrera MA, Vovides AP. Spatial distribution, population

[39] Brenes-Cambronero L, Di Stefano JF. Possible influence of ramets on the population structure and distribution of the giant tree *Warszewicsia uxpanapensis*, cordillera Tilarán, Costa Rica. Revista Biología Tropical. 2006;54:1179-1188. https://doi. org/10.15517/rbt.v54i4.3095 [Spanish]

.co;2

structure, and fecundity of *Ceratozamia matudae* (Zamiaceae) in El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, México. The Botanical Review. 2004;70:299- 311. https://doi.org/10.1663/0006- 8101(2004)070[0299:sdpsaf]2.0

[40] Niklas K, Marler TE. Sex population differences in the allometry of an endangered cycad species *Cycas micronesica* (Cycadales). International Journal of Plant Sciences. 2008;169: 659- 665. https://doi.org/10.1086/533606.

[41] Pérez-Farrera MA, Quintana-Ascencio PF, Salvatierra-Izaba B, Vovides AP. Population dynamic of *Ceratozamia matudai* in el Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, México. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 2000;127:291-299. https://doi.

org/10.2307/3088647

org/10.1086/337880

stage heterogeneity and spatial dispersion pattern of *Dioon holmgrenii* (Zamiaceae). Botanical Sciences. 2016;94:75-87. https://doi.org/10.17129/

[29] Rubio-Méndez G, Chávez-Acuña IJ, Yáñez-Espinosa L, Fortanelli-Martínez J. Effect of seed collection on the structure and dynamics of wild populations of *Dioon edule* (Zamiaceae). The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. (in press)

Fortanelli-Martínez J, Bonta M. Toxic Harvest: Chamal Cycad (*Dioon edule*) Food Culture in Xi'Iuy Indigenous Communities of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Journal of Ethnobiology. 2020:4:519-534. https://doi. org/10.2993/0278-0771-40.4.519

[31] Rubio-Méndez G, Yáñez-Espinosa L, Salinas-Rodríguez MM, Hernández-Hernández KA, Balderas-González D. Demographics and population structure of *Dioon angustifolium* (Zamiaceae) in northeastern Mexico. Botanical Sciences. 2019;97(4):685-690. https:// doi.org/10.17129/botsci.2262 [Spanish]

[32] Keppel G. Notes on the natural history of *Cycas seemannii* (Cycadaceae).

[33] Gaol ML, Fox ED. Reproductive potential of Acacia species in the central wheatbelt: variation between years. Conservation Science Western Australia

[34] Alejandre-Rosas J, Sanchez-Tinoco MY, Vazquez-Torres M. Population structure of *Ceratozamia mexicana* Brong. (Zamiaceae) in a forest in central Veracruz. La Ciencia y el Hombre*.*

South Pacific Journal of Natural Science. 2001;19:35-41. https://doi.

org/10.1071/SP01007

Journal. 2002;4:147-152.

1990;1:93-112. [Spanish]

[35] Ornduff R. Size classes, reproductive behavior, and insect

botsci.258 [Spanish]

[30] Tristán-Martínez E,

**112**

[43] Clark D, Clark DB. Leaf production and the cost of reproduction in the Neotropical rain forest cycad *Zamia skinneri*. Journal of Ecology. 1987;76:1153-1163. https://doi. org/10.2307/2260640

[44] Donaldson, JS, editor. 2003. Cycads status, survey and conservation action plan. Cambridge, UK: IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group. IUCN. 2003. ix+86 pp.

[45] Bohonak A. Dispersal, gene flow and population structure. The Quarterly Review of Biology. 1999;74(1):21-45. https://doi.org/10.1086/392950

[46] Mathiasen P, Rovere A, Premoli A. Genetic Structure and Early Effects of Inbreeding in Fragmented Temperate Forest of a Self-Incompatible Tree, *Embothrium coccineum*. Conservation Biology. 2006;21 (1):232-40. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00565.x.

[47] Cabrera-Toledo D, González-Astorga J, Flores-Vázquez J. Fine-scale spatial genetic structure in two mexican cycad species *Dioon caputoi* and *Dioon merolae* (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): Implications for conservation. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 2012;40:6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. bse.2011.09.004

[48] Augspurger CK. Seedling survival of tropical tree species: Interactions of dispersal distance, light gaps, and pathogens. Ecology. 1984;65:1705-1712. https://doi.org/10.2307/1937766

[49] Allendorf FW, Luikart GH. Conservation and the Genetics of Populations. 2nd ed. UK:Blackwell Publishing. 2007 ISBN: 978-0-470-67146-7

[50] Acuña W, Yalta C, Veli E. Cross species transferability of microsatellite markers from *Anas platyrhynchos* to Peruvian Muscovy Duck *Cairina moschata domestica.* Revista Peruana de Biología. 2020:27:255-260. http://dx.doi. org/10.15381/rpb.v27i2.15015

**115**

**1. Introduction**

**Chapter 6**

**Abstract**

Rediscovering Kemp's Ridley

*Catherine E. Hart, Valeria Leal-Sepúlveda,* 

*Kevin Alan Zavala-Félix, César Paúl Ley-Quiñónez,* 

*A. Alonso Aguirre and Alan Alfredo Zavala-Norzagaray*

Sea Turtle (*Lepidochelys kempii*):

*Miguel Angel Reyes-López, Fátima Yedith Camacho-Sánchez,* 

Sea turtles are reptiles that have inhabited the earth for 100 million years. These

are divided into 2 families (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) and 7 species of sea turtles in the world: the leatherback turtle (*Dermochelys coriacea*); hawksbill turtle (*Eretmochelys imbricata*); Kemp's ridley (*Lepidochelys kempii*); olive ridley (*L. olivacea*); Loggerhead turtle (*Caretta caretta*); flatback sea turtle (*Natator depressus*) and green turtle (*Chelonia mydas*). In particular, Kemp's ridley is included in the red list of IUCN categorized as "critically endangered". The most important site around the Word is in Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Where 80–95% of the world's nesting is concentrated. Other nesting areas are Tepeguajes and Barra del Tordo, in Tamaulipas, and with less intensity in Veracruz (Lechuguillas and El Raudal beaches) and South Padre Island, Texas, USA. They deposit an average of about 90 eggs and hatching takes 40 to 60 days. Therefore, they are vulnerable to different anthropogenic activities and sources of pollution, such as heavy metals, which can cause toxic effects that are harmful to the turtles, damage their physiology and health. To understand the real situation about health and genetic parameters it is

necessary to analyze biochemical and molecular factors in this species.

**Keywords:** Kemp's ridley, molecular analysis, nesting beaches, pollution

For decades, the Kemp's ridley (*Lepidochelys kempii*) was one of the most elusive sea turtles, and its nesting sites were unknown. Study, ingenuity and a home movie shed light on what for many was a riddle. The first references occurred when fishers off the coast of Florida, USA reported that they caught "demonic turtles". The turtle's morphology was described as flat and grey with a large head and that they were very active when they were caught in fishing nets which resulted in broken nets. The encounters were reported to researchers, and Samuel Garman, a prominent herpetologist and ichthyologist at the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, was the first person to describe the turtle characteristics and, it is thanks

Molecular Analysis and Threats
