Comparative study about size-class structure, genetic structure and reproductive biology of Boa constrictor occidentalis in two populations of Córdoba Province, Argentina.

BERTONA MIGUEL; CARDOZO GABRIELA; RIVERA PAULA C.; LUCINO SERGIO; GARDENAL CRISTINA N.; CHIARAVIGLIO MARGARITA

Indianapolis, EEUU

Congreso; 49th Annual Meetings of the Herpetologists’ League and 44th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.; 2001

The study of multiples populations of a species reveals the spatial scale over which life history traits are variable. We compare two populations of Argentine boa constrictor in different phytogeographic environments considering size-class structure, genetic structure, sex ratio and reproductive parameters. During the last year specimens were captured, marked and returned in the districts of Pocho and Sobremonte in Cordoba province. Size-class structure and mature individuals ratio differ between populations whereas the sex ratio does not differ from 1:1. Capture frequency by season was distinct in both populations. Synchrony in the reproductive activity of males and females was observed. The potential size of litters is similar in both places. Regarding the study of genetic structure, from a total of 25 loci analyzed, only 4 were polymorphic. Mean expected heterozygosity was 0,058 and 0,051 for Pocho and Sobremonte populations respectively. No evidence of inbreeding was found. The allelic and genotypic frequencies did not differ significantly between populations. The fact that changes in the environment conditions may derive in variations within the species, is under discussion.