Title: Microgeographic variation in Caiman latirostris

Author(s):  Verdade LM, Zucoloto RB, Coutinho LL

Source:  JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY 294 (4): 387-396 DEC 15 2002

Document Type:  Article

Language:  English

Abstract:  In theory, geographic scale is related to genetic variation at the population level, whereas microgeographic scale may reveal intra-population structure such as social groups and families. In the present work, both levels of genetic variation in the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) were evaluated in small wetlands associated with the Piracicaba River and some of its tributaries in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Genetic variation was determined using microsatellite DNA markers originally developed for the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis) and previously tested in pedigreed captive broad-snouted caimans. Using these markers, we were able to detect variability among individuals from different sites, even those within a small geographic distance. Genetic results suggest that the groups sampled at each site are composed predominantly of related individuals. A possible combination of high mortality and low natality rates results in a low number of successfully dispersed individuals per generation. Future studies using a recently constructed Caiman latirostris microsatellite library (Zucoloto et al., 2002) might help us to understand metapopulation processes that may be occurring within this species. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

KeyWords Plus:  PAIRWISE RELATEDNESS; AMERICAN ALLIGATORS; DNA; SYSTEMATICS; CROCODILIA; COLLECTION; CROCODYLIA; EVOLUTION; SKULL

Addresses:  Verdade LM (reprint author), ESALQ USP, Lab Ecol Anim, LPA, POB 9, Piracicaba, SP BR-13418 Brazil
ESALQ USP, Lab Ecol Anim, LPA, Piracicaba, SP BR-13418 Brazil
CENA USP, Piracicaba, SP BR-13400 Brazil
ESALQ USP, LPA, Biotechnol Lab, Piracicaba, SP BR-13418 Brazil

Publisher:  WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC, 605 THIRD AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10158-0012 USA

Subject Category:  ZOOLOGY

IDS Number:  621JL

ISSN:  0022-104X