As Ferramentas Moleculares aplicadas na conservação dos Crocodilianos

PABLO A. SIROSKI; AMAVET PATRICIA SUSANA; GISELA L. POLETTA; LUIS ANTONIO BOCHETTI BASSETTI

Revista de Recursos Genéticos - RG News

Sociedade Brasileira de Recursos Genéticos - SBRG.

Lugar: Brasilia; Año: 2021 vol. 7 p. 67 - 80

2526-8074

Lately, genetics studies advanced quickly using molecular tools and the technology. Besides their intrinsic characteristics like longevity, habitats, and some other interesting aspects, crocodilians are one of the most fascinating groups within vertebrates. They represent a successful group of organisms that have suffered little alteration over millions of years, thus these animals are an important source of information for those researching advances from a molecular point of view. The ability to resist the attack of microorganisms could be one of the reasons for their success and longevity so the discovery of the molecular components involved would allow a thorough understanding of these facts. In addition, the information acquired from genetic analyses is important for conservation and management and allow to depth on population structure, patterns of dispersal and gene flow, interspecific hybridization, among other parameters, as to understand evolutionary processes require the analysis of polymorphic markers. Also, the biological impact resulting from the interaction with contamination-sensitive components in caiman species can be manifested at the genetic, immunological, and biochemical levels, exerting a marked long-term effect on populations. Genetic, immunological and biochemical molecular markers constitute a battery of complementary tools that are highly explanatory in the evaluation of the effects caused by mass use pesticides on crocodilians and will allow us to obtain more information regarding the specific biological significance and real impact of the alterations produced by pesticides on these species, providing predictive tools for the environmental protection of these and other wild species in our region. Specifically, throughout its range of distribution, a large number of C. latirostris specimens were hunted illegally and different strategies to avoid their extinction were necessary. In conclusion, the genetic resources have allowed to approach the study of the crocodiles from a population, ecological, ecosystemic and productive point of view.