Genomic Differentiation and Diversity in Persian Gulf Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) Revealed by the First Whole-Genome Sequencing Study

This is the first WGS study of the hawksbill sea turtle (<i>Eretmochelys imbricata</i>) from the Persian Gulf. Sequencing of 17 individuals from four nesting islands in the southern part of Iran's coastline revealed population-level genetic differentiation with consistently low rates of nucleic diversity and differentiated demographic footprints in sampling populations in the Persian Gulf. In a population structure analysis, four populations were discovered; Shidvar had long-term isolation and Nakhiloo demonstrated admixture and higher heterogeneity. ROH and LD profiles are consistent with past bottlenecks, rather than recent inbreeding, and reflect each island's demographic history. The observed fine-scale genomic divergence (e.g., even between sites in close proximity, such as Ommolgorm and Nakhiloo) suggests that natal homing and local environmental selection are meaningful drivers of genetic differentiation, and that specific conservation strategies should be implemented at each site.