Mating system of Caiman yacare (Reptilia: Alligatoridae) described from microsatellite genotypes

GUILLERMO N. OJEDA; EVA RUEDA; SIROSKI, PABLO ARIEL; ALEJANDRO LARRIERA; AMAVET PATRICIA SUSANA

JOURNAL OF HEREDITY

OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2017

0022-1503

The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) is a reptile from South America and one of the two 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 the Appendix II of CITES, and at the same time it has been subjected to ranching practices in some areas in Argentina. In this context, it is important to better understand the population structure and mating system of the species. To do this, we amplified ten microsatellite markers (SSRs) in 148 individuals of 13 C. yacare nests. All of 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 one paternal genotype, being the maximum 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.