Should We Be Focusing on Lonesome George's Legacy?

     Now you've heard his story, we should look at the specifics of the conservation work going into 'resurrecting' Lonesome George's subspecies, and whether we should actually expend resources into this.

   As discussed previously, Yale researchers analysed more than 1,600 DNA samples taken in 2008 from tortoises living near Wolf Volcano, on Isabella Island, identifying 17 individuals that share some of Lonesome George's genes - 3 males, 9 females and 5 juveniles. The researchers believe there could be additional hybrids in the area, and possibly some pure specimens of the subspecies, based on the presence of juvenile first-generation hybrids. The paper detailing their findings and speculations is due to be published in Biological Conservation, however it is as yet unavailable.

Lonesome George - not the last Pinta Island giant tortoise?

    It is speculated that the Pinta Island tortoises likely reached the neighbouring Isabella Island by 19th Century whaling and naval vessels throwing individuals overboard when they were not needed for food. This has lead to similar findings with another Galapagos Giant Tortoise thought to be extinct; Chelonoidis elephantopus (Floreana Island) genes have been rediscovered in hybrids analysed in Garrick et al., 2012, in Current Biology.

   Now that surviving Pinta Island tortoise genes have been discovered, geneticists can begin to attempt to reconstruct the species. In theory (and what is hoped will result from this) the hybrids can be selectively bred, hopefully producing individuals that are almost entirely pure, effectively bringing back the subspecies 'from the dead'. Who knows, with luck the further expedition planned for next year may even be able to find a wild pure Pinta Island tortoise.

   But should we even bother to spend the incredible amount of time and money that this subspecies regeneration will take? And all the work for a group not even distinct enough to be classified a species; as a subspecies, Pinta Island tortoise genomes are very similar (virtually identical) to other taxa of the same species (particularly those of Espanola Island). Would these not fill any ecosystem gaps? Also, work will likely never come up with an individual fully of the subspecies, but only continue a line of hybrids, and as they breed very slowly, this will take a very long time and many generations to be achieved. It is still very unsure whether there will be any pure-breeds of the species, or whether there will even been enough hybrids left to breed out a pure line and regenerate the Pinta Island subspecies.
 
    Despite all this, the action of these researchers is possibly worthwhile as an example of what conservation work can achieve, and for inspiring work with other species. This tale of Lonesome George, and the possible resurrection of his subspecies symbolises the current rapid loss of biodiversity on Earth, and inspires the beginning of conservation efforts in other places: "Because of George's fame, Galápagos tortoises which were down to just a few animals on some islands have recovered their populations. He opened the door to finding new genetic techniques to help them breed and showed the way to restore habitats," said Richard Knab of the Galápagos Conservancy, which is running giant tortoise breeding programmes with the Ecuadorean government."
Furthermore, work into his subspecies can already be seen as having great positive effects on the conservation of other species; Lonesome George has inspired major conservation programmes in the Galapagos, causing many other species of highly endangered giant tortoise to recover, for example the Hood Island subspecies has recovered from 15 individuals to around 1200.


    So, despite his death in June, and the resulting reports of the loss of another publicised (sub)species, clearly Lonesome George's legacy is still going strong, inspiring many researchers and conservationists. I believe it is not the focus on his subspecies that is important, but the fact that conservation actions receiving more support will be able to reach more endangered species, helping prevent some extinctions.