Detection of polyandric behavior in giant Amazonian river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) using microsatellites markers

Juliana Morais,Cristiane Araújo,Izeni Farias,Cleiton Fantin,Robinson Botero-Arias,Cássia Camillo

doi:10.1186/1753-6561-8-s4-p162

Abstract

Background In some species, presence of multiple paternity, due to polyandric behavior have important consequences in the effective size of a population when compared to unique paternity, mainly when it is about endangered species[1]. Because the exacerbated exploitation of meat, guts and eggs as food by local communities, giant Amazonian river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) is at low risk/dependant of conservation, according IUCN. Facing this, studies related to reproductive behavior of this specie have a great importance for contributing with programs about its conservation. Studies related to polyandric behavior, already evidenced in P. expansa, describe genetic benefits for the specie, because together with multiple paternity occurrence, it rises the genetic variability from offsprings and decreases the occurrence of endogamy between individuals [2,3]. The present study aims to verify the existence of polyandric behavior in females of Amazon turtles from Mamiraua Reserve of Sustainable Development (RDSM), using microsatellite markers.

Highlights

In some species, presence of multiple paternity, due to polyandric behavior have important consequences in the effective size of a population when compared to unique paternity, mainly when it is about endangered species[1]
DNA was submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) following the economic protocol described by Schuelke [4]
PCR products were subjected to genotyping according DeWoody protocol [5], performed by an automatic DNA sequencer ABI 3130xl

Summary

Introduction

Presence of multiple paternity, due to polyandric behavior have important consequences in the effective size of a population when compared to unique paternity, mainly when it is about endangered species[1]. Materials and method 120 just-hatched individuals from four nests were analyzed, previously collected from RDSM. Samples of until 500μL of blood were collected by femoral vein puncture by using 1mL syringes and stored in microtubes with 500μL of absolute ethanol at 4oC. Offsprings were released in the site of origin.

Results

Conclusion