Heterologous microsatellite primers are informative for paca ( Cuniculus paca ), a large rodent with economic and ecolog
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BMC Research Notes Open Access
RESEARCH NOTE
Heterologous microsatellite primers are informative for paca (Cuniculus paca), a large rodent with economic and ecological importance Franco F. Roldán Gallardo1,2, Karen E. DeMatteo1,3,4, Miguel A. Rinas5 and Carina F. Argüelles1,2*
Abstract Objective: This study was designed to facilitate genetic studies that would allow information on population structure and genetic diversity of natural or captive stocks of paca (Cuniculus paca), a species of ecological and socioeconomic importance, by testing cross-amplification of 20 heterologous microsatellite primer pairs developed for guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Results: Those primers that showed the best amplification profile in blood samples were subsequently applied to scats and saliva samples, to evaluate their efficiency. Of the 13 microsatellite pairs that amplified in blood, one-third (32%) were successfully amplified in saliva and scat samples. This initial work demonstrates successful cross-amplification in paca providing a solid and promising foundation for future genetic studies with this species. The ability to quantify genetic diversity using noninvasive samples from free-ranging paca is essential to developing applied management strategies for this large neotropical rodent that is not only a prey favored by wide-ranging carnivores [e.g., jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor)], but is also a species targeted by illegal hunting and wildlife trade. Keywords: Cuniculus paca, Heterologous amplification, Microsatellite primers, Saliva, Scat Introduction The paca (Cuniculus paca, Linnaeus, 1766), a grounddwelling, herbivorous rodent, is a unique genus in the family Cuniculidae. The paca is the second largest neotropical rodent with a broad distribution across Central and South America from Mexico to northeast Argentina, with recent introductions in Cuba and the Lesser Antilles [1, 2]. The species inhabits a wide range of humid tropical forests, preferring places near rivers or streams, but can also be found in grasslands, mangrove swamps, *Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Departamento de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Posadas, Misiones, Argentina Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
and agricultural areas [3]. This medium-sized animal (6-14 kg) is nocturnal, solitary, territorial, monogamous, and sedentary [4]. While it can be vector of zoonotic diseases (e.g., intermediate hosts for Echinococcus vogeli; [5]), it is susceptible to others (e.g., leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis; [2]). The paca is a favored prey of many carnivores [e.g., coyote (Canis latrans), puma (Puma concolor), jaguar (Panthera onca), bush dog (Speothos venaticus)], crocodiles, and heavy-bodied snakes [e.g., boa constrictor (Boa constrictor)], among others [2]. Furthermore, it is consumed by human beings, who have targeted this species for its quality meat [6], which is even desire
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