Data from: Mating system of Caiman yacare (Reptilia Alligatoridae) described from microsatellite genotypes

The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) is a reptile from South America and one of the two crocodilian species present in Argentina. The degradation of their natural habitat and strong hunting pressure led to a sharp numerical decline of wild populations. Nowadays C. yacare is included in the Appendix II of CITES, and at the same time it has been subjected to ranching practices in some areas in Argentina. In this context, it is important to better understand the population structure and mating system of the species. To do this, we amplified ten microsatellite markers (SSRs) in 148 individuals of 13 C. yacare nests. All of markers were polymorphic with 2-12 alleles per locus, with allelic sizes ranging between 154 and 400 bp and medium levels of polymorphism (Ho = 0.152-0.551 and He = 0.221-0.621). We were able to determine the maternal genotype in 9 out of 13 nests. In 6 of them we found more than one paternal genotype, being the maximum 3 fathers for a single nest. This study is the first to provide evidence of multiple paternity behavior. These findings will be useful to improve management and conservation strategies for the species.巴拉圭凯门鳄（Caiman yacare）是原产于南美洲的爬行动物，亦是阿根廷境内现存的两种鳄目物种之一。其自然栖息地的退化与高强度狩猎压力，导致其野生种群数量急剧下降。目前，巴拉圭凯门鳄已被列入《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》（CITES）附录Ⅱ；与此同时，阿根廷部分地区已对其开展人工繁育养殖活动。在此背景下，深入解析该物种的种群结构与交配系统显得尤为关键。为此，本研究对取自13个巴拉圭凯门鳄巢穴的148个个体，完成了10个微卫星标记（SSRs）的扩增检测。所有标记均呈现多态性，每个位点的等位基因数量为2至12个，等位基因片段长度介于154 bp至400 bp之间，多态性水平中等（观测杂合度Ho=0.152~0.551，期望杂合度He=0.221~0.621）。研究团队成功确定了13个巢穴中9个的母本基因型。其中6个巢穴检测到了不止一种父本基因型，单个巢穴最多可对应3个父本个体。本研究首次为巴拉圭凯门鳄的多父本交配行为提供了实证依据。上述研究结果可为该物种的管理与保护策略优化提供重要参考。