Phylogenetic relationships of the West African mud turtle (Pelusios castaneus) on the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Central Africa

Abstract

On the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa, only one species of terrapin has been recorded: the West African mud turtle, Pelusios castaneus. Here, we use a mtDNA phylogenetic approach to shed light on the geographical origin of Pelusios castaneus on both islands. Our results indicate several independent colonisations from different African mainland regions (Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Congo). However, it is still unclear if the species arrived on the islands by natural dispersal (e.g., through vegetation rafts) or by human agency (e.g., as a food source). Our work provides important insights into the origins of P. castaneus in São Tomé and Príncipe, but a more in-depth study is needed to fully understand the origins and evolutionary histories of these populations.