Mating System of Caiman yacare (Reptilia: Alligatoridae) Described from Microsatellite Genotypes.
The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) is a reptile from South America and 1 of the 2 crocodilian species present in Argentina. The degradation of their natural habitat and strong hunting pressure led to a sharp numerical decline of wild populations. Nowadays, C. yacare is included in Appendix II of CITES, and ranching practices in some areas in Argentina are helping hatching success. In this context, it is important to better understand the population structure and mating system of the species. To do this, we amplified 10 microsatellite markers (SSRs) in 148 individuals of 13 C. yacare nests. All of the markers were polymorphic with 2–12 alleles per locus, with allelic sizes ranging between 154 and 400 bp and medium levels of polymorphism (Ho = 0.152–0.551 and He = 0.221–0.621). We were able to determine the maternal genotype in 9 out of 13 nests. In 6 of them we found more than 1 paternal genotype, with a maximum of 3 fathers for a single nest. This study is the first to provide evidence of multiple paternity behavior. These findings will be useful to improve management and conservation strategies for the species.
Laboratorio de Genética, Depto. de Ciencias Naturales-Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina.|Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Guillermo N
GN
Ojeda
Laboratorio de Genética, Depto. de Ciencias Naturales-Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina.|Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.|Proyecto Yacaré-Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada: Anexo Vertebrados (FHUC-UNL/MASPyMA), Santa Fe, Argentina.
Patricia S
PS
Amavet
Laboratorio de Genética, Depto. de Ciencias Naturales-Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina.|Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Eva C
EC
Rueda
Proyecto Yacaré-Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada: Anexo Vertebrados (FHUC-UNL/MASPyMA), Santa Fe, Argentina.|Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet-UNL-CONICET), Kreder, Esperanza, Argentina.
Pablo A
PA
Siroski
Laboratorio de Genética, Depto. de Ciencias Naturales-Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina.|Proyecto Yacaré-Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada: Anexo Vertebrados (FHUC-UNL/MASPyMA), Santa Fe, Argentina.
Alejandro
A
Larriera
D000483:Alleles; D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal
D005819:Genetic Markers
Caiman yacare; CITES; multiple paternity; SSR; sustainable use