Isolamento e Caracterização de Marcadores Microssatélites para análise de Parentesco no Boto-vermelho (Inia geoffrensis)

Abstract

The present work was divided into two chapters. Chapter I presents the isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers specifically developed for the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), as well as the characterization of these markers for other cetacean species. These markers were characterized in the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) and the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis). Chapter II presents an analysis of relatedness within and between two aggregations of the Amazon River dolphin from the lower Rio Negro AM. It was observed that the aggregations at Novo Airão and Furo do Ariaú were comprised exclusively of male dolphins. This result could be explained by the differential habitat preference since males are principally found in the main streams of large rivers while females are more isolated and prefer várzea and flooded forests. It was also observed that the level of relatedness observed in the Novo Airão and Furo do Ariaú groups was very low, which means that these aggregations are the formed exclusively for hand-feeding. This study provides information which could not be obtained from field observations only, and is important for the understanding of the biology of the analyzed populations.