Massive transoceanic gene flow in a freshwater turtle (Testudines: Geoemydidae: Mauremys rivulata)

The freshwater turtle Mauremys rivulata ranges from the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula through the Aegean region and coastal western and southern Turkey southwards to Israel. In addition, it occurs on several Aegean islands, Crete and Cyprus. Previous investigations using mtDNA sequences found virtually no genetic differentiation across its distribution range, despite some major biogeographical barriers for terrestrial and freshwater biota. Thus, the absence of any phylogeographical differentiation would be unexpected. To re‐examine genetic differentiation within M. rivulata, here we use a comprehensive rangewide sampling and information of 13 unlinked polymorphic microsatellite loci and compare these data against mtDNA variation. Our microsatellite analyses reveal a weak population structuring which conflicts, however, with most biogeographical barriers. We conclude that the genetic structure in the vast majority of the species' range has been shaped by massive transoceanic gene flow. This explanation is unlikely for the northernmost populations, which seem rather to be genetically impacted by intentionally released foreign turtles.