Fine scale patterns of genetic partitioning in the rediscovered African crocodile, Crocodylus suchus (Saint-Hilaire 1807)

PeerJ

article

Seth W. Cunningham¹  Matthew H. Shirley²  Evon R. Hekkala¹ 

[1] Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University;Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida;Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

关键词: Crocodylus suchus;    Nile crocodile;    Genetic variation;    Population divergence;    Management units;    African biogeography;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.1901

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Landscape heterogeneity, phylogenetic history, and stochasticity all influence patterns of geneflow and connectivity in wild vertebrates. Fine-scale patterns of genetic partitioning may be particularly important for the sustainable management of widespread species in trade, such as crocodiles. We examined genetic variation within the rediscovered African crocodile, Crocodylus suchus, across its distribution in West and Central Africa. We genotyped 109 individuals at nine microsatellite loci from 16 sampling localities and used three Bayesian clustering techniques and an analysis of contemporary gene flow to identify population structure across the landscape. We identified up to eight genetic clusters that largely correspond to populations isolated in coastal wetland systems and across large distances. Crocodile population clusters from the interior were readily distinguished from coastal areas, which were further subdivided by distance and drainage basin. Migration analyses indicated contemporary migration only between closely positioned coastal populations. These findings indicate high levels of population structure throughout the range of C. suchus and we use our results to suggest a role for molecular tools in identifying crocodile conservation units for this species. Further research, including additional sampling throughout the Congo and Niger drainages, would clarify both the landscape connectivity and management of this species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY