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Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci data supporting a management plan for a critically endangered lizard from Brazil

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Abstract

Endemic and endangered species are highly vulnerable to habitat perturbations and may be subject to variations in their population size. Management plan for these species is crucial to avoid population decline, loss of genetic variability, inbreeding and ultimately extinction. The sand lizard, Liolaemus lutzae, is endemic to a habitat of sandy coastal plain (restinga). Its geographical distribution extends for only 200 km stretch of the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, one of South America’s most densely populated regions. Extensive development and degradation of the beaches where the species inhabits, have led to the species becoming critically endangered. We used mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite loci to resolve patterns of population connectivity and genetic variation within the species in order to provide a platform for a species management plan. Our results indicate the existence of three main populations, separated from each other by the Guanabara Bay and by the Arraial do Cabo Peninsula. The low microsatellite genetic variation and heterozygosity witnessed in each of the three populations, together with high levels of inbreeding and low effective population sizes suggest that the species is in urgent need of intensive management. Based on the results of this study we propose strong measures to protect existing restinga fragments and the implementation of programmes of captive breeding and reintroduction of individuals from the heavily threatened regions to protected refugia. Such measures may be the only way of ensuring the continuity of the species.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Gisele Winck, Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados (UERJ), for collecting extra samples of Liolaemus lutzae. We are grateful to Dr Jim Groombridge, of the University of Kent, Dr Davor Vrcibradic, of the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, and Dr Punita Juneja and Dr Andrea Manica from the University of Cambridge who gave helpful advice on this manuscript. CFDR received grants from Conselho Nacional do Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-CNPq (Processes 304791/2010-5 and 472287/2012-5) and from Fundação Carlos Chagas de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro-FAPERJ (Process E-26.102.765/2012) through Programa Cientistas do Nosso Estado.

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  1. Cristina V. Ariani

    Present address: Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20550-013, Brazil

    Cristina V. Ariani & Carlos Frederico D. Rocha

  2. Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK

    Cristina V. Ariani, Robert S. A. Pickles & William C. Jordan

  3. Departamento de Genética, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20550-013, Brazil

    Gisele Lobo-Hajdu

Authors
  1. Cristina V. Ariani
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  2. Robert S. A. Pickles
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  3. William C. Jordan
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  4. Gisele Lobo-Hajdu
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  5. Carlos Frederico D. Rocha
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Correspondence to Cristina V. Ariani.

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William C. Jordan—Deceased.

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Ariani, C.V., Pickles, R.S.A., Jordan, W.C. et al. Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci data supporting a management plan for a critically endangered lizard from Brazil. Conserv Genet 14, 943–951 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-013-0484-9

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