Evidence of multiple paternity in Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) in Belize, CA, inferred from microsatellite markers

John D. Mcvay, David Rodriguez, Thomas R. Rainwater, Jennifer A. Dever, Steven G. Platt, Scott T. Mcmurry, Michael R.J. Forstner, Llewellyn D. Densmore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microsatellite data were generated from hatchlings collected from ten nests of Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) from New River Lagoon and Gold Button Lagoon in Belize to test for evidence of multiple paternity. Nine microsatellite loci were genotyped for 188 individuals from the 10 nests, alongside 42 nonhatchlings from Gold Button Lagoon. Then mitochondrial control region sequences were generated for the nonhatchlings and for one individual from each nest to test for presence of C. acutus-like haplotypes. Analyses of five of the nine microsatellite loci revealed evidence that progeny from five of the ten nests were sired by at least two males. These data suggest the presence of multiple paternity as a mating strategy in the true crocodiles. This information may be useful in the application of conservation and management techniques to the 12 species in this genus, most of which are threatened or endangered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)643-648
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology
Volume309
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

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