Population genetic structure and dispersal in white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) from the Brazilian Pantanal

In many mammals social organization promotes genetic structuring, which can be influenced by the dispersal pattern of the species. We analyzed the population genetic structure and dispersal of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecan) from the Pantanal, Brazil. We genotyped 100 individuals at 7 microsatellite loci from 2 adjacent locations with no obvious geographic barrier between them. We found a significant but low F(ST) value, and the Bayesian analysis indicated a unique cluster. No significant differences were observed between mean assignment indices of resident males and females from both locations, and the probability of being born at the location sampled of > 30% of the individuals analyzed was lower than average. Mean relatedness between resident female, male, and opposite-sex pairs was not statistically different in both locations. These results suggest a low degree of genetic differentiation between the locations analyzed, and dispersal by both sexes (contrary to the predicted male-biased dispersal of most mammalian species).

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

FAPESP Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo

Universidade para o Desenvolvimento do Estado e da Regiao do Pantanal

Universidade para o Desenvolvimento do Estado e da Regiao do Pantanal

Fundacao Manoel de Barros, Instituto de Biologia da Conservacao

Fundacao Manoel de Barros, Instituto de Biologia da Conservacao

Earthwatch Institute

Earthwatch Institute Volunteers

York High School

York High School

Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil

Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil

Conservation International

Conservation International

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CNPq Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

CAPES Coordenadoria de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior

University of Sydney

University of Sydney