Verificando a ocorrência de hibridização entre duas espécies de preguiça, Bradypus tridactylus Linnaeus, 1758 e Bradypus variegatus, Schinz, 1825 no município de Manaus, Amazonas - Brasil

Abstract

Belonging to Infraorder Hairy, Bradipodiade family, Bradypus tridactylus and Bradypus variegatus sloths can be found in the Amazon biome. They present diagnostic characters such as color of the face coat and throat which are golden yellow and brown, absence and presence of black spot around the eyes, respectively, that distinguish them from each other. In forest fragments of Manaus-AM, it is possible to observe sloths that have intermediate characteristics between the two species. The objective of this study was to identify the sloths found in Manaus, checking for the occurrence of hybridization between them. A total of 32 samples were used, seven control region of B. variegatus, one of the region control B. tridactylus and the other 24 forest fragments belonging to the city of Manaus, where we identify individuals of B. variegatus, B. tridactylus and Bradypus sp., based on morphological characteristics. For the present study we used the control of mitochondrial DNA region (Dloop) and 10 microsatellite loci of the nuclear DNA. Results of molecular analyzes of Dloop show the existence of two well-supported monophyletic clades, separating the two species of sloths: B. tridactylus and B. variegatus, in the north and south of the Rio Negro and Amazon, respectively. Through analysis of the STRUCTURE program, it was found that the number of genetically distinct groups biological was K=2, it is possible to distinguish pure individuals of each species, and it was possible to observe the existence of individuals association with different proportions one of the clusters. These individuals were identified as hybrids, and it is possible to can check the occurrence of F1 generation, F2 and backcross, indicating the fertility of them. The consequences of the existence of fertile hybrids to the evolutionary process of the species involved can range from insignificant to drastic, so that it is necessary studies that generate empirical information, aimed at assisting in the development of management strategies, conservation and protection of these species.