Stage-based model of population dynamics and harvest of Broad-snouted caiman (<i>Caiman latirostris<i>) under different management scenarios

Authors

  • Evangelina V. Viotto Centro de Investigación Científica y de Transferencia Tecnológica a la Producción - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas 11 y Técnicas - Provincia de Entre Ríos-Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. España 149. CP 3105. Entre Ríos, Argentina.
  • Joaquín L. Navarro Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y Universidad Nacional de 15 Córdoba - Rondeau 798, CP 5000, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • Melina S. Simoncini Proyecto Yacaré-Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada: Anexo Vertebrados Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Na- 13 cional del Litoral, Av. Aristóbulo del Valle 8700, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina.
  • Carlos Piña CONICET

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15451/ec2023-01-12.01-1-20

Keywords:

Crocodylia, LSA, Ranching, Hunting, Population simulation

Abstract

We created a matrix model structured by stages (divided into 5 stages) to evaluate the population dynamics of Caiman latirostris and the population behavior at different management intensities through ranching and hunting of adult individuals. We generated 5000 matrices by sampling the mean and variance values of survivals (pi) and hatching for each stage. For each matrix, we obtained the growth rate λ and performed elasticity analyses. Modifying the mean matrix obtained from the previous analysis, we evaluated different scenarios of ranching, reintroduction, and hunting of adult females of the last two stages (E) raised here (class III animals, > 60 cm snout-vent length, divided into two: E4 and E5). We obtained a mean λ of 1.035 (range 0.88 − 1.12), and 11.9% of the simulations had λ < 1. The vital rate with the highest elasticity and variance was that of the adult females of the last stage. Natural populations can tolerate a maximum of 5% adult female hunting, and ranching can extract 55% of nests from the wild without reintroduction or 80% of nest harvest, returning to the wild at least 3% of hatched animals in the ranching programs. Our model showed that hunting and ranching with reintroduction are feasible strategies to be applied without threatening natural populations. Increasing reintroduction makes it possible to extract more adult individuals and maintain the species’ populations at sustainable levels.

References

Amavet P, Rosso E, Markariani R, Piña CI (2008) Microsatellite DNA markers applied to detection of multiple paternity in Caiman latirostris in Santa Fe, Argentina. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology 309:637–642 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.496

Amavet PS, Vilardi JC, Rueda EC, Larriera A, Saidman BO (2012) Mating system and population analysis of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) using microsatellite markers. Amphibia Reptilia 33:83–93 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/156853812X624423

Borteiro C, Prigioni C, García JE, Tedros M, Gutiérrez F, Kolenc F (2006) Geographic distribution and conservation status of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae) in Uruguay. Phyllomedusa 5:97–108 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v5i2p97-108

Brandt LA, Beauchamp JS, Jeffery BM, Cherkiss MS, Mazzotti FJ (2016) Fluctuating water depths affect American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) body condition in the Everglades, Florida, USA. Ecological Indicators 67:441–450 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.03.003

Briggs-Gonzalez V, Bonenfant C, Basille M, Cherkiss M, Beauchamp J, Mazzotti FJ (2017) Life histories and conservation of long-lived reptiles, an illustration with the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Journal of Animal Ecology 86:1102–1113 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12723

Caldwell J (2015) World trade in crocodilian skins 2013-2015. Cambridge, UK

Caswell H (2001) Matrix population models: construction, analysis, and interpretation. Massachusetts, USA

Caughley G (1977) Analysis of vertebrate populations. New York, USA

Crouse DT, Crowder LB, Caswell H a L (1987) A stage-based population model for loggerhead sea turtles and implications for conservation. Ecological Society of America 68:1412–1423 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1939225

Crowder LB, Crouse DT, Heppell SS, Martin TH (1994) Predicting the impact of turtle excluder devices on loggerhead sea turtle populations. Ecological Applications 4:437–445 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1941948

Dunham K, Dinkelacker S, Miller J (2014) A stage-based population model for American alligators in northern latitudes. Journal of Wildlife Management 78:440–447 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.688

Elsey RM, Woodward AR (2010) American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis. In: S.C. M, Stevenson C (eds) Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan.Third Edition, ed. Crocodile Specialist Group, Darwin, pp. 1–4

Eversole CB, Henke SE, Turner BL, Glasscock SN, Powell RL, Wester DB, Ballard BM (2018) A theoretical population and harvest model for american alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Herpetological Monographs 32:22–33 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-17-00005

Federico P, Canziani GA (2005) Modeling the population dynamics of capybara Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris: A first step towards a management plan. Ecological Modelling 186:111–121 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2005.01.011

Freedman AH, Portier KM, Sunquist ME (2003) Life history analysis for black bears (Ursus americanus) in a changing demographic landscape. Ecological Modelling 167:47–64 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3800(03)00171-6

Fukuda Y, Webb GB, Edwards G, Saalfeld K, Whitehead P (2020) Harvesting predators: Simulation of population recovery and controlled harvest of saltwater crocodiles Crocodylus porosus. Wildlife Research 48:252–263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/WR20033

Gaillard JM, Yoccoz NG (2003) Temporal variation in survival of mammals: a case of environmental canalization? Ecology 84:3294–3306 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/02-0409

Heppell SS, Caswell H, Crowder LB (2000) Life histories and elasticity patterns: perturbation analysis for species with minimal demographic data. Ecology 81:654–664 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2000)081[0654:LHAEPP]2.0.CO;2

Hines T, Abercrombie CL (1987) The management of alligators in Florida, USA. In: Webb GJW, Manolis SC, Whitehead PJ (eds) Wildlife Management: Crocodiles and Alligators. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton, pp. 43–47

Jenkins R, Jelden D, Webb G, Manolis S (2004) Review of Crocodile Ranching Programs. [https://www.iucncsg.org/365_docs/].

Joanen T, Merchant M, Griffith R, Linscombe J, Guidry A (2021) Evaluation of effects of harvest on Alligator populations in Louisiana. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:696–705 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22028

De Kroon H de, Plaisier A, Groenendael J van, Caswell H (1986) Elasticity: the relative contribution of demographic parameters to population growth rate. Ecological Society of America Stable 67:1427–1431 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1938700

Lance SL, Tuberville TD, Dueck L, Holz-Schietinger C, Trosclair PL, Elsey RM, Glenn TC (2009) Multiyear multiple paternity and mate fidelity in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Molecular Ecology 18:4508–4520 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04373.x

Larriera A (2011) Ranching the broad-snouted cayman (Caiman latirostris) in Argentina: An economic incentive for wetland conservation by local inhabitants. In: Abensperg-Traun M, Roe D, O’Criodain C (eds) Proceedings of an international symposium on “The relevance of CBNRM to the conservation and sustainable use of CITES-listed species in exporting countries.” Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and London, UK, pp. 86–92

Larriera A, Imhof A (2006) Proyecto Yacaré. Cosecha de huevos para cría en granjas del género Caiman en la Argentina. In: D. MLB and, Ramadori (eds) Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Argentina Programas de uso Sustentable. Dirección de Fauna Silvestre, Secretaria de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, Buenos Aires., pp. 51–64

Larriera A, Piña CI, Siroski P, Verdade LM (2004) Allometry of reproduction in wild Broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris). Journal of Herpetology 38:301–304 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1670/145-03A

Larriera A, Siroski P, Piña CI, Imhof A (2006) Sexual maturity of farm-released Caiman latirostris (crocodylia: alligatoridae) in the wild. Herpetological Review 37:26–28

Larriera A, Umhof A, Siroski P (2008) Estado actual de los programas de conservación y manejo del género Caiman en Argentina. Construccion al conocomiento de los caimanes del género Caiman de Sudamerica 143–179

Larriera A (2011) Ranching the broad-snouted cayman (Caiman latirostris) in Argentina: An economic incentive for wetland conservation by local inhabitants. In: Abensperg-Traun M, Roe D, O’Criodain C (eds) Proceedings of an international symposium on “The relevance of CBNRM to the conservation and sustainable use of CITES-listed species in exporting countries.” Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and London, UK, pp. 86–92

Leiva PML, Labaque MC, Fernandez ME, Piña CI, Simoncini MS (2018) Physical and chemical characteristics of fertile and infertile eggs of wild Caiman latirostris. Aquaculture 497:287–291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.08.002

Leiva PML, Simoncini MS, Portelinha TCG, Larriera A (2019) Size of nesting female Broad-snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris Daudin 1802). Brazilian Journal of Biology 79:1–5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.180892

Messerman AF, Semlitsch RD, Leal M (2020) Estimating survival for elusive juvenile Pond‐breeding salamanders. The Journal of Wildlife Management 84:1–14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21815

Moler PE (1991) American crocodile population dynamics. Florida, USA

Moulton TP, Magnusson WE, Melo MTQ (1999) Growth of Caiman latirostris Inhabiting a Coastal Environment in Brazil. Journal of Herpetology 33:479 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1565647

Nichols JD, Viehman L, Chabreck RH, Fenderson B (1976) Simulation of a commercially harvested alligator population in Louisiana.

Parachú Marcó MV, Leiva PML, Iungman JL, Simoncini MS (2017) New evidence characterizing temperature-dependent sex determination in Broad-snouted caiman , Caiman latirostris. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12:78–84

Piña CI, Larriera A (2002) Caiman latirostris growth : the effect of a management technique on the supplied temperature. Acuacultur 211:387–392 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(02)00007-8

Piña CI, Larriera A, Cabrera MR (2003) Effect of incubation temperature on incubation period, sex ratio, hatching success, and survivorship in Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae). Journal of Herpetology · 37:199–202 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1670/0022-1511(2003)037[0199:EOITOI]2.0.CO;2

Piña CI, Siroski PA (2004) Cocodrilos en la Región Litoral: especies, distribución geográfica, modo de vida. INSUGEO, Miscelánea 12:317–322

Poletta GL, Larriera A, Siroski PA (2008) Broad snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) growth under different rearing densities. Aquaculture 280:264–266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2008.04.032

Portelinha TCG, Jahn GA, Hapon MB, Verdade LM, Piña CI (2015) Hormone levels and ultrasound evaluation of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae) ovulation. South American Journal of Herpetology 10:23–31 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-14-00030.1

Prado WS, Piña CI, Waller T (2012) Yacares de la República Argentina. Cuaderno de herpetologia 26:403–410

R Core Team (2019) R: A Language and environment for statistical computing. https://www.r-project.org/.

Richards PM (2003) Evaluating the relative effects of life history stages in the conservation of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Florida. Florida Scientist 66:273–286

Rootes WL, Chabreck RH (1992) Sex ratios of American alligators live-captured and harvested by baited hooks. Wildlife Society Bulletin 20:140–142

Sæther BE, Bakke Ø (2000) Avian life history variation and contribution of demographic traits to the population growth rate. Ecology 81:642–653 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2000)081[0642:ALHVAC]2.0.CO;2

Scarpa LJ, Piña CI (2019) The use of drones for conservation : A methodological tool to survey caimans nests density. Biological Conservation 238:108235 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108235

Simoncini M, Lang JW, Simoncini MS, Leiva PML (2017) Eggshell structure in Caiman latirostris eggs improves embryo survival during nest inundation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 284:http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2675 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2675

Simoncini MS (2011) Influencia de las variables climáticas sobre la nidificación, éxito de eclosión y proporción de sexos de neonatos de Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia : Alligatoridae). Universidad Nacional de Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.,

Simoncini MS, Cruz FB, Larriera A, Piña CI (2014a) Effects of climatic conditions on sex ratios in nests of broad-snouted caiman. Journal of Zoology 293:243–251 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12140

Simoncini MS, Fernández MS, Iungman JL (2014b) Cambios estructurales en cáscaras de huevos de Caiman latirostris. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 85:78–83 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.36240

Simoncini MS, Lábaque MC, Perlo F, Fernandez ME, Leiva PML, Paez AR, Teira G, Larriera A, Piña CI (2020) Caiman latirostris meat characterization: Evaluation of the nutritional, physical and chemical properties of meat from sustainable ranching program in Argentina. Aquaculture 515: https://doi.org/10.1016/j. aquaculture.2019.734570. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734570

Simoncini MS, Leiva PML, Piña CI, Cruz FB (2019) Influence of temperature variation on incubation period, hatching success, sex ratio, and phenotypes in Caiman latirostris. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology 331:299–307 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.2265

Simoncini MS, Piña CI, Siroski PA (2009) Clutch size of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae) varies on a latitudinal gradient. North-Western Journal of Zoology 5:191–196

Siroski, P., Bassetti, L.A.B., Piña, C. & Larriera, A. 2020. Caiman latirostris. (In: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020). IUCN [https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/ IUCN.UK.2020- 3.RLTS.T46585A3009813.en] 20 October 2021.Smith AMA, Webb GJW (1985) Crocodylus Johnstoni in the McKinlay river area, N.T. VII. A population simulation model. Wildlife Research 12:541–554 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/WR9850541

Stubben C, Milligan B (2007) Estimating and analyzing demographic models using the popbio Package in R. Journalof Statistical Software 22:1–23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18637/jss.v022.i11

Tucker AD (1995) Are sustainable harvest models relevant to Johnstone’s crocodile? The role of population simulations in adapative management. Conservation through sustainable use of wildlife. pp. 151–160

Tucker AD (2001) Sensitivity analysis of stage-structured demographic models for freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni). In: Grigg GC, Seebacher F, Franklin CE (eds) Crocodilian Biology and Evolution. Surrey Beatty: Sydney, NSW, Australia, pp. 349–363

Velasco A, Ayarzagüena J (2010) Spectacled Caiman Caiman crocodilus. In: Manolis C, Stevenson C (eds) Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition, IUCN. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin, pp. 10–15

Velasco A, Colomine G, De Sola R, Villarroel G (2002) Effect of sustained cropping on wild population of Caiman crocodilus (Baba) in Venezuela. Crocodiles. Proceedings of the 16th Working Meeting of the Crocodile specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission of IUCN – The World Conservation Union. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge UK, pp. 64–73

Verdade LM (2001) Allometry of reproduction in broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris). Brazilian Journal of Biology 61:431–435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842001000300012

Verdade ML, Larriera A, Piña CI (2010) Broad-snouted Caiman Caiman latirostris. In: Manolis, S. C., Stevenson C (ed) Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan Third Edition, IUCN. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin, pp. 18–20

Viotto E V, Navarro JL, Piña CI (2020) Growth curves of wild and reintroduced Broad-snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris) and their management implications. South American Journal of Herpetology 16:34–41 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2994/SAJH-D-18-00077.1

Wallace K, Leslie A, Coulson T (2013) Re-evaluating the effect of harvesting regimes on Nile crocodiles using an integral projection model. Journal of Animal Ecology 82:155–165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02027.x

Webb GJW, Brook BW, Whitehead PJ, Manolis SC (2004) Wildlife management principles and practices in crocodile conservation and sustainable use. Proceedings of the 17th Working Meeting of the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group 84–91

Webb GJW, Manolis SC (1993) Conserving Australia’s crocodiles through commercial incentives. Herpetology in Australia: a diverse discipline 250–256 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7882/RZSNSW.1993.038

Wilkinson PM (1983) Nesting ecology of the American alligator in coastal South Carolina. Columbia, USA

Wilkinson PM, Rainwater TR, Woodward AR, Leone EH, Carter C (2016) Determinate growth and reproductive lifespan in the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis): Evidence from long-term recaptures. Copeia 104:843–852 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1643/CH-16-430

Wisdom MJ, Mills LS, Doak DF, Ecology S, Mar N (2000) Life stage simulation analysis: estimating vital-rate effects on population growth for conservation. Ecological Society of America Stable 81:628–641 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2000)081[0628:LSSAEV]2.0.CO;2

Zucoloto RB, Bomfim GC, de Campos Fernandes FM, Schnadelbach AS, Piña CI, Verdade LM (2021) Effective population size of broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) in Brazil: A historical and spatial perspective. Global Ecology and Conservation 28:0–2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01673

Downloads

Published

01/30/2023

How to Cite

V. Viotto, E., L. Navarro, J., S. Simoncini, M., & Piña, C. (2023). Stage-based model of population dynamics and harvest of Broad-snouted caiman (<i>Caiman latirostris<i>) under different management scenarios. Ethnobiology and Conservation, 12. https://doi.org/10.15451/ec2023-01-12.01-1-20

Issue

Section

Special Issue

Most read articles by the same author(s)