Genetic traceability of origin of captive crocodilians

• Grant number: 20/05550-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: February 01, 2021
• End date: October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Karina Lucas da Silva-Brandão
• Grantee: Karina Lucas da Silva-Brandão
• Company: Karina Lucas da Silva Brandão
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: Campinas
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/01614-9 - Genetic traceability of origin of captivity crocodilians, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Brazil is the second biggest exporter of crocodilian skins in South America to several countries, in a world market that trades more than 1.5 million unities of skins each year. Crocodilian meat is also appreciated as a exotic product in the Brazilian market, and Brazil currently presents a large economic potential that come from four of the six species of caiman found in our territory. The main object of this project considers this potential presented by crocodilian products, mainly meat and skin, in Brazil and in the world, and the credibility of sustainable and conservative approaches demanded to commercialize such products, to propose the standardization of SNPs markers obtained by genomic techniques to assign each individual of the broad-nosed Caiman (Caiman latirostris) to its original locality. The inclusion of genetic identification of economic important species can deter illegal practices while enhance confidence in product authenticity, compensating legal practices, since certified and sustainable products improve value to the producer. The genomic markers we propose here are new for this animal group, and have the ability to assign each individual to this original locality, with an associated error. Our main result will be the implementation of a startup qualified to certificate the origin of animals and their products in the Brazilian Broad-nosed Caiman Farming Program, allowing the detection of potential frauds (e. g., sampling of unauthorized natural populations). As the broad-nosed Caiman is in the CITES Annex I, its international trade is allowed dependent on this certification, and the market for crocodilian products is broadly favorable to this initiative. (AU)