Population genetics of Salvator merianae (Reptilia, Teiidae) in its southernmost distribution

Abstract

The black and white tegu (Salvator merianae Duméril and Bibron, 1839) is the most widespread lizard species in the southern part of South America. This is an important species as a natural resource, traditionally used for food and traded as leather and pets, and this intensive exploitation can be important for regional economies in their range. We analyzed their genetic diversity, structure, and mating system in Argentina using the mitochondrial ND4 locus and 10 microsatellite loci. We hypothesized low genetic diversity, high levels of interpopulation structure, and multiple paternal contribution to clutches. Our results support our hypotheses, detecting two divergent mitochondrial haplogroups, low levels of allelic diversity and low to medium population structure values using microsatellites, and that S. merianae is both polygynous and has multiple paternal contributions to the clutches we analyzed. These results are informative for the on-going sustainable use-based management of S. merianae, ensuring the sustainability of its commercially exploited populations and the habitats on which they depend.