Editing Openai/6924402f-3b58-8006-a1bd-56b1245e20a2 (section)

==== 1. Chromosome-level Genome Assembly - A high-quality, chromosome-level genome has been published for the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea). OUP Academic<ref>{{cite web|title=OUP Academic|url=https://academic.oup.com/gigascience/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/gigascience/giac090/6756429|publisher=OUP Academic|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> - This genome (2.37 Gbp, resolved into 26 chromosomes) enables studies into genetic health, diversity, and also the genetic basis of traits like longevity. OUP Academic<ref>{{cite web|title=OUP Academic|url=https://academic.oup.com/gigascience/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/gigascience/giac090/6756429|publisher=OUP Academic|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> - The paper explicitly states that having this genome “will inform comparative genomics studies focused on the genetic underpinnings of aging and gigantism.” OUP Academic<ref>{{cite web|title=OUP Academic|url=https://academic.oup.com/gigascience/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/gigascience/giac090/6756429|publisher=OUP Academic|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> ====
# Cancer Resistance in Turtles - A 2025 study (led by researchers at University of Nottingham / Birmingham) found that cancer is very rare in turtles, including large, long-lived species. University of Birmingham<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Birmingham|url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/cancer-is-extremely-rare-in-turtles-offering-hope-for-future-human-prevention|publisher=University of Birmingham|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> - They suggest this low cancer rate could be due to: good defences against cell damage, slow metabolism, and “unique genes that protect against cancer.” University of Birmingham<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Birmingham|url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/cancer-is-extremely-rare-in-turtles-offering-hope-for-future-human-prevention|publisher=University of Birmingham|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> - This is very relevant to tortoises like Jonathan because it helps explain how such a long-lived animal might avoid cancer even with so many cells and many years.
# Conservation & Reproduction - In 2025, scientists at the University of Sheffield successfully hatched Aldabra giant tortoise eggs using artificial incubation. University of Sheffield<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Sheffield|url=https://sheffield.ac.uk/news/successful-hatching-endangered-giant-tortoises-artificial-incubation|publisher=University of Sheffield|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> - Their research found that many undeveloped eggs were actually fertilised — but the embryos died early, suggesting environmental factors (not infertility) are a major issue in wild egg failure. University of Sheffield<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Sheffield|url=https://sheffield.ac.uk/news/successful-hatching-endangered-giant-tortoises-artificial-incubation|publisher=University of Sheffield|access-date=2025-11-25}}</ref> - This has big implications for conservation: by understanding what’s going wrong in the wild, they can improve hatching success.