scholarly journals Tracking a voyager: mitochondrial DNA analyses reveal mainland-to-island dispersal of an American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) across the Caribbean

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-655
Author(s):  
Sergio A Balaguera-Reina ◽  
Juan F Moncada-Jimenez ◽  
Carlos F Prada-Quiroga ◽  
Felipe Hernandez-Gonzalez ◽  
Nacor W Bolaños-Cubillos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Wildlife Forensics ◽  
Natural Park ◽  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Continental Area ◽  
San Andres ◽  
First Time

Abstract Conservation efforts have allowed American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) populations to recover to the point that dispersal movements are beginning to be documented. The environmental authority of San Andres Island in Colombia reported, for the first time, the arrival of two C. acutus from unknown localities in 2012 and 2018. The former was sacrificed, and the latter was captured and kept in captivity to determining its potential origin. We used wildlife forensics to establish the origin of the animal that arrived in 2018 based on two mitochondrial genes (COI and Cytb). Additionally, five other samples from Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP), and Salamanca Island Road Park (SIRP) were sequenced for molecular attribution of these populations to the currently described lineages. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses showed that the American crocodile found in San Andrés belongs to a continental evolutionary lineage endemic to Colombia, showing also a strong genetic similarity with animals from SIRP. Thus, the most likely origin for this individual was not the nearest continental area but somewhere around the central Colombian Caribbean, located ~700 km from the island. We discuss the implication of our findings in the systematics and conservation of the species and the potential of mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify such migrants.

scholarly journals Integrating molecular, phenotypic and environmental data to elucidate patterns of crocodile hybridization in Belize

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
pp. 150409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evon R. Hekkala ◽  
Steven G. Platt ◽  
John B. Thorbjarnarson ◽  
Thomas R. Rainwater ◽  
Michael Tessler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Phenotypic Data ◽  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
Breeding Habitats ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Morelet's Crocodile

The genus Crocodylus comprises 12 currently recognized species, many of which can be difficult to differentiate phenotypically. Interspecific hybridization among crocodiles is known to occur in captivity and has been documented between some species in the wild. The identification of hybrid individuals is of importance for management and monitoring of crocodilians, many of which are Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listed. In this study, both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers were evaluated for their use in confirming a suspected hybrid zone between American crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) and Morelet’s crocodile ( Crocodylus moreletii ) populations in southern Belize where individuals and nests exhibiting atypical phenotypic features had previously been observed. Patterns observed in both phenotypic and molecular data indicate possible behavioural and ecological characteristics associated with hybridization events. The results of the combined analyses found that the majority of suspected hybrid samples represent crosses between female C. acutus and male C. moreletii . Phenotypic data could statistically identify hybrids, although morphological overlap between hybrids and C. moreletii reduced reliability of identification based solely on field characters. Ecologically, C. acutus was exclusively found in saline waters, whereas hybrids and C. moreletii were largely absent in these conditions. A hypothesized correlation between unidirectional hybridization and destruction of C. acutus breeding habitats warrants additional research.

scholarly journals Contributions to the nutrition of the American crocodile Crocodylus acutus (Cuvier, 1807) in captivity

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Hernandez ◽  
Hector Soria ◽  
Olimpia Farnes ◽  
Helios Hernandez ◽  
Rafael Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
In Captivity

scholarly journals PRESENCE OF THE YELLOWCHEEK WRASSE HALICHOERES CYANOCEPHALUS (PISCES: LABRIDAE) IN SHALLOW REEFS OF THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Garzón Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Natural Park ◽  
Deep Waters ◽  
Reef Environments ◽  
San Andres ◽  
First Time

The yellowcheek wrasse Halichoeres cyanocephalus (Bloch) is registered by the first time for the Colombian Caribbean. In spite of extensive diving in most reef areas of Colombia since 1980, H. cyanocephalus was observed only in four occasions at the Tayrona Natural Park, the Urabá area, and San Andrés island. The fish is known to occur in deep waters but in Colombia it was found only in shallow (7-15 m in depth) reef environments. Eight species of the genus Halichoeres are now known from the Colombian Caribbean.

Analysis of the population dynamics of the endangered American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus in Paramillo National Natural Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Angela María Ortega-León ◽  
Amilcar H. Santos-Morales ◽  
Joan Gastón Zamora-Abrego ◽  
Hibraim Adán Pérez-Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Adult Stage ◽  
Population Viability ◽  
Offspring Production ◽  
Natural Park ◽  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
Slight Growth ◽  
Apparent Stability

Few studies have been conducted on the population dynamics of crocodiles, especially in the Neotropics. This is the first study to provide data on the population dynamics of the threatened American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus (Cuvier, 1807)) in Paramillo National Natural Park. Twenty-four survey routes of 22km each were studied, and a total of 733 sightings was recorded. During the study period (from October 2014 to March 2016), the population remained stable and experienced slight growth (λ=1.049±0.428). Offspring production by the adults II stage was the most sensitive contribution (17.05), whereas the permanence of this adult stage was the demographic process that contributed the most to population growth (0.653). However, an 18% decrease in adults II would jeopardise long-term population viability and lead to a high probability of quasi-extinction, with under 300 individuals over the next 30 years. Thus, despite the apparent stability of this population, we suggest that it be considered a key target for future conservation efforts. Additionally, we recommend that this species continue to be listed as endangered in Colombia and not be modified in the CITES Appendix I.

Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy - Idebenone, Hope of Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 4244-4247
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Visual Field ◽  
Optic Neuropathy ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Central Vision ◽  
Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Analysis ◽  
Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Leber hereditary optical neuropathy (LHON) is part of the class of optic neuropathies in which the mitochondrial function is impaired and is characterized by a painless, subacute, bilateral decrease of the central vision. We shall present the case of two brothers AM aged 31 and AT aged 40 who were diagnosed with LHON and whom we initiated treatment with idebenone 900 mg / day with monitoring at one month and 6 months. The mitochondrial DNA analysis demonstrated the existence of mutations 11778G>A for the mtND4 gene in both patients. Idebenone is a synthetic benzoquinone, analogue of ubiquinone. We found a slight but significant improvement in the visual field in patient AM at one month of treatment. We have not found another case in the literature with an improvement in vision so fast after this treatment, and this has led us to write this article. Keywords: Leber hereditary optical neuropathy (LHON), idebenone, mutations 11778G>A, mtND4 gene

scholarly journals Factors influencing the occurrence of negative interactions between people and crocodilians in Mexico

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Giovany Arturo González-Desales ◽  
Luis Sigler ◽  
Jesús García-Grajales ◽  
Pierre Charruau ◽  
Martha Mariela Zarco-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Caiman Crocodilus ◽  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
American Crocodile ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Nesting Season ◽  
Negative Interactions

Abstract Negative interactions between people and crocodilians have increased worldwide, but in Mexico there have been few systematic reports and no rigorous evaluation of this problem. We compiled information on negative interactions between people and the spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus and American crocodile Crocodylus acutus from the Worldwide Crocodilian Attack Database for 1993–2018, and we investigated interactions in greater depth, through interviews with people in La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. We examined the relationship between the occurrence of negative interactions between people and C. acutus and the species' nesting season and abundance, and presence records. In Mexico, the frequency of negative interactions increases when anthropogenic activities occur close to nesting sites (< 30 km) and during the nesting season (February–September). In La Encrucijada, following negative interactions with crocodiles, the local inhabitants killed 30 crocodiles measuring > 2.5 m long in 2011–2012. The frequency of negative human–crocodilian interactions was not correlated with the abundance of crocodilians but was correlated with the number of presence records of crocodiles. Strategies to minimize these interactions include warnings at nesting sites, increased monitoring of anthropogenic activities during the nesting season, and management of nests to prevent them being destroyed by people.

scholarly journals Large-Scale Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of the Domestic Goat Reveals Six Haplogroups with High Diversity

PLoS ONE ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. e1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeid Naderi ◽  
Hamid-Reza Rezaei ◽  
Pierre Taberlet ◽  
Stéphanie Zundel ◽  
Seyed-Abbas Rafat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Domestic Goat ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Analysis ◽  
High Diversity
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