Dataset Information

Genetic diversity and population demography of the Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) in China.

ABSTRACT: The Chinese crocodile lizard Shinisaurus crocodilurus is a critically endangered species, listed in Appendix II of CITES. Its populations and habitat in China have undergone significant changes in recent years. Understanding the genetic variability and phylogeography of this species is very important for successful conservation. In this study, samples were taken from 11 wild ponds and two captive populations in China. We sequenced mitochondrial CYTB, partial ND6, and partial tRNA-Glu and genotyped 10 microsatellite loci. Our analyses of these data showed low genetic variability, no strong isolation caused by distance, and a lack of a phylogeographic structure in this species. Based on our results, the basal divergence between two clades of S. crocodilurus in China may have been caused by the formation of the Pearl River system. We found a population expansion in one of these clades. Microsatellite analysis indicated the presence of three clusters, separated by significant genetic differences. We found that most individuals in the two captive populations were from the Luokeng (Guangdong) and Guangxi wild source populations, respectively.

SUBMITTER: Huang H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3950216 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic diversity and population demography of the Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) in China.

Huang Huayuan H Wang Hui H Li Linmiao L Wu Zhengjun Z Chen Jinping J

PloS one 20140311 3

The Chinese crocodile lizard Shinisaurus crocodilurus is a critically endangered species, listed in Appendix II of CITES. Its populations and habitat in China have undergone significant changes in recent years. Understanding the genetic variability and phylogeography of this species is very important for successful conservation. In this study, samples were taken from 11 wild ponds and two captive populations in China. We sequenced mitochondrial CYTB, partial ND6, and partial tRNA-Glu and genotyp ...[more]

PMID: 24618917

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Project description:Colour plays a key role in animal social communication including as an indicator of individual quality. Using spectrophotometry, we examined colour variation in the throat and venter of the crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), an endangered species native to southern China and northern Vietnam. We detected two broad colour variants, individuals with and without red, for each body region and each sex. A cluster analysis of spectral colour measurements (hue, chroma, luminance) revealed discrete throat and ventral morphs when measured in a single snapshot in time. However, photographic evidence revealed that the amount of red relative to body size increased as they got older. Individuals with red were equally likely to be male or female and throat colour was unrelated to ventral colour. Therefore, it is premature to claim that crocodile lizards have discrete colour morphs. We used visual modelling to show that the throat and venter were easily discriminable to a lizard visual system, suggesting they function in social communication. We also asked whether colour variation signalled individual quality. Females with red throats had greater bite force while males with red throats were older. In addition, females with red venters had larger heads. We also detected differences in morphology linked to colour. Females with red throats had slender bodies and longer tails, while individuals lacking red on their throats were stouter and had shorter tails. Finally, throat and ventral colour were unrelated to reproductive output (litter size and mass) in females. Males with greater ventral luminance contrast sired offspring from litters with greater litter mass (including stillborns), while males with greater ventral chromatic contrast sired offspring whose collective live mass (excluding stillborns) was greater. Males with greater luminance contrast also sired more live offspring (excluding stillborns). Collectively, these results suggest that male ventral colour signals individual quality in males. Conservation initiatives should take colour variation into account when planning future captive breeding and release programs for this endangered species.

Dataset Information

Genetic diversity and population demography of the Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) in China.

Publications

Genetic diversity and population demography of the Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) in China.

Similar Datasets

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