Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca). (IMAGE) Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche Caption Like many threatened land turtle species, the spur-thighed tortoise had no complete genome. For the first time, researchers have successfully sequenced the genome of the spur-thighed tortoise, using the genome of another closely related native American tortoise as a reference. Credit Ecology Department at UMH. Usage Restrictions Credit must be given to the creator. License CC BY Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.