Transferrin polymorphism in Amazon turtle (Podocnemis expansa) stocks

Abstract

The transferrin gene locus (Tf) was investigated in five populations of the Amazon turtle (Podocnemis expansa) sampled from five geographical areas in the Amazon region. This locus was polymorphic, showing three genotypes (TfaTfa, TfaTfb and TfbTfb), presumably encoded by two co-dominant alleles, Tfa and Tfb. All populations showed good genetic balance according to Hardy-Weinberg expectations, and may sustain the hypothesis of a single stock in the area investigated. The data are consistent with free flow of genes among the population samples examined.