Evaluation of genetic diversity in Leptodactylus podicipinus populations from fragmented habitat by agricultural practices

• Grant number: 12/01549-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Maurício Papa de Arruda
• Grantee: Caroline Dutra
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The fragmentation of the landscapes may have a particularly strong effect on the genetic variability in amphibians because the species of this group generally exhibit a low vagility and are often philopatry to breeding sites. A very significant portion of this change is the result of habitat conversion and of fragmentation mediated by human action. However, few studies on the effects of agricultural practices on amphibian populations are available. The genetic diversity of organisms, characterized by molecular biology techniques is a key aspect in the evaluation of the fitness of species to environments as well as in the investigation of non-selective processes. Particularly, the microsatellite markers have successfully accessed the genetic variability of populations. The proposed project aims to the development of informative microsatellite markers for population analysis in Leptodactylus podicipinus. Populations of this species in different anthropic matrices will be evaluated from the markers developed, allowing a refined analysis of the gene flow, structure, and presence of recent population decline, enabling inferences about the degree of anthropogenic impact on amphibian populations.(AU)