Phylogeography, genetic diversity, and population structure of Nile crocodile populations at the fringes of the southern African distribution.

ABSTRACT: Nile crocodiles are apex predators widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa that have been viewed and managed as a single species. A complex picture of broad and fine-scale phylogeographic patterns that includes the recognition of two species (Crocodylus niloticus and Crocodylus suchus), and the structuring of populations according to river basins has started to emerge. However, previous studies surveyed a limited number of samples and geographical regions, and large areas of the continent remained unstudied. This work aimed at a fine scale portrait of Nile crocodile populations at the fringes of their geographic distribution in southern Africa. Wild and captive individuals were sampled across four major river systems (Okavango, Lower Kunene, Lower Shire and Limpopo) and the KwaZulu-Natal

SUBMITTER: van Asch B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6927622 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature