Nattakan Ariyaraphong. Inspection and certification of crocodile products in the production chain to raise the standards of the Siam Crocodile Industry. Master's Degree(Genetics). Kasetsart University. Office of the University Library. : Kasetsart University, 2022.
Inspection and certification of crocodile products in the production chain to raise the standards of the Siam Crocodile Industry
Abstract:
The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) and saltwater crocodile (C. porosus) are two of the most endangered animals in Thailand. Populations of Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) have severely declined because of hunting and habitat fragmentation, necessitating a reintroduction plan involving commercial captive-bred populations. Siamese crocodiles commonly have post-occipital scutes (P.O.) with 46 scales, but 26 P.O. scales were found in captives on Thai farms. Here, the genetic diversity and population structure of Siamese crocodiles were analyzed using mitochondrial DNA D-loop and microsatellite genotyping. Image collection of 3 parts (Head, Back, and Abdomen) were also collected. These results indicate that a P.O. variation of 24 is within the species-level variation of Siamese crocodiles. In short, this is a phenotypic variation and not the result of hybridization with saltwater crocodiles. The STRUCTURE plot revealed large distinct gene pools, suggesting crocodiles in each farm were derived from distinct lineages. However, combining both genetic approaches provides evidence of introgression for several individual crocodiles, suggesting possible hybridization between Siamese and saltwater crocodiles. The development of DNA fingerprints into registration data and numbers for crocodile identification as reference will be supported crocodile farm management. This leads us to apply the DNA fingerprint with AI for the development of identification traceability certification for registration. This knowledge will add up the animal bioresource database for an in-situ and ex-situ conservation management program and reintroduction of crocodile individuals to the wild in Thailand.
Kasetsart University. Office of the University Library