Affiliation:
1. Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, United States
2. Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
3. Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Loxahatchee, FL, United States
Abstract
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 ofC. suchusand 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.
Funder
Wildlife Conservation Society
USAID
Conservation, Food, and Health Foundation
Columbus Zoological Park Association, Inc. Conservation Fund
IDEA WILD
St Augustine Alligator Farm
Rotary International
IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group
AZA Crocodilian Advisory Group
Minnesota Zoo
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
San Diego Zoological Society
Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
C Stevenson
JP Ross
Fordham University
Sackler Institute
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience
Cited by
18 articles.
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