Detection of polyandric behavior in giant Amazonian river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) using microsatellites markers

Background In some species, presence of multiple paternity, due to polyandric behavior have important consequences in the effective size of a population when compared to unique paternity, mainly when it is about endangered species[1]. Because the exacerbated exploitation of meat, guts and eggs as food by local communities, giant Amazonian river turtle (Podocnemis expansa) is at low risk/dependant of conservation, according IUCN. Facing this, studies related to reproductive behavior of this specie have a great importance for contributing with programs about its conservation. Studies related to polyandric behavior, already evidenced in P. expansa, describe genetic benefits for the specie, because together with multiple paternity occurrence, it rises the genetic variability from offsprings and decreases the occurrence of endogamy between individuals [2,3]. The present study aims to verify the existence of polyandric behavior in females of Amazon turtles from Mamirauá Reserve of Sustainable Development (RDSM), using microsatellite markers.