title: Genetic Evidence for Polygamy as a Mating Strategy in Caiman crocodilus.
abstract: The mating system of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) was investigated in the Piagaçu-Purus Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil. We used 6 polymorphic microsatellite loci to genotype 13 females and 174 hatchlings representing 20 nests sampled over 4 consecutive reproductive seasons (2007-2010). Paternity was determined by 2 methods: simple counts, and statistical analysis using Gerud 2.0. Results were congruent between the 2 approaches, and the null hypothesis of single paternity was rejected in 19 of the 20 nests analyzed, thereby demonstrating that C. crocodilus females are polyandrous and that the breeding system of the species can be characterized as polygamous. The data suggest that 1-4 fathers were responsible for the paternity of the offspring, and that the males contributed differently (9-100%) to each of the 20 nests. A total of 53 males copulated with the 20 females mothering the nests. This is the first study on the mating system of C. crocodilus and the frequency of multiple paternity is among the highest values (95%) reported thus far for crocodilians.
authors.affiliation: From the Laboratory of Evolution and Animal Genetics (LEGAL), Department of Biology, Federal University of Amazonas, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000, Coroado II, Manaus, AM 69077-000, Brazil (Oliveira, Farias, and Hrbek); and the Programa de Conservação de Crocodilianos Amazônicos (PCCA), Instituto Piagaçu (IPI), Rua UZ, Quadra Z, Número 8, Conjunto Morada do Sol, Aleixo, Manaus, AM 69060-000, Brazil (Marioni).
authors.forename: Deyla P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: From the Laboratory of Evolution and Animal Genetics (LEGAL), Department of Biology, Federal University of Amazonas, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000, Coroado II, Manaus, AM 69077-000, Brazil (Oliveira, Farias, and Hrbek); and the Programa de Conservação de Crocodilianos Amazônicos (PCCA), Instituto Piagaçu (IPI), Rua UZ, Quadra Z, Número 8, Conjunto Morada do Sol, Aleixo, Manaus, AM 69060-000, Brazil (Marioni).
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marioni
authors.affiliation: From the Laboratory of Evolution and Animal Genetics (LEGAL), Department of Biology, Federal University of Amazonas, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000, Coroado II, Manaus, AM 69077-000, Brazil (Oliveira, Farias, and Hrbek); and the Programa de Conservação de Crocodilianos Amazônicos (PCCA), Instituto Piagaçu (IPI), Rua UZ, Quadra Z, Número 8, Conjunto Morada do Sol, Aleixo, Manaus, AM 69060-000, Brazil (Marioni).
authors.forename: Izeni P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.affiliation: From the Laboratory of Evolution and Animal Genetics (LEGAL), Department of Biology, Federal University of Amazonas, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000, Coroado II, Manaus, AM 69077-000, Brazil (Oliveira, Farias, and Hrbek); and the Programa de Conservação de Crocodilianos Amazônicos (PCCA), Instituto Piagaçu (IPI), Rua UZ, Quadra Z, Número 8, Conjunto Morada do Sol, Aleixo, Manaus, AM 69060-000, Brazil (Marioni) hrbek@evoamazon.net.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hrbek
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D052586:Mating Preference, Animal; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats
keywords: 
  Caiman crocodilus
  ; 
  Purus river
  ; 
  microsatellites
  ; 
  multiyear multiple paternity analysis
  ; 
  system of mating
  