Genetic Paternity Analysis of 20 Spectacled Caiman Nests

Microsatellite genotype data from 15 female and 174 hatchling spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus) across 20 nests. The dataset was used to investigate mating systems, demonstrating a 95% frequency of multiple paternity over four reproductive seasons from 2007 to 2010 in the Brazilian Amazon.

Use Cases

• Analyze the distribution of paternal contributions (9%-100%) across the 20 nests to study reproductive skew.
• Investigate the relationship between the number of fathers per nest (one to four) and clutch size using hatchling genotype data.
• Use the microsatellite loci genotypes from 15 females and 174 hatchlings for population genetics or kinship analysis.
• Compare paternity assignment results from simple counts versus statistical analysis with Gerud 2.0 on the nest data.

Strengths

• Data supports a clear finding of 95% multiple paternity frequency, a high value for crocodilians.
• Analysis spans four consecutive reproductive seasons (2007-2010), providing multi-year context.
• Paternity was determined using two congruent methods (simple counts and Gerud 2.0) on 20 nests.
• Includes genotypes from 189 total individuals (15 females, 174 hatchlings) across six polymorphic microsatellite loci.

Limitations

• Sample size is limited to 20 nests from a single geographic location, limiting generalizability.
• The dataset does not include genotypes from the 53 inferred paternal males, only maternal and offspring data.
• Temporal coverage is limited to a specific four-year period (2007-2010).

Provenance

Source

Dryad digital repository, authored by Deyla Oliveira.

Collection Method

Field collection and genetic analysis using six polymorphic microsatellite loci for genotyping; paternity determined via simple counts and Gerud 2.0 software.

Time Range

Samples collected over four consecutive reproductive seasons from 2007 to 2010.

Freshness

Data last updated in 2020, representing a snapshot of research from that period.

Geography

Piagaçu-Purus Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil (Purus river region).