Scientists have genetically confirmed that the critically endangered Cuban crocodile has been hybridizing with a species of American crocodile in the wild.
This will make conservation of the species a bit more challenging, according to a study in the July issue of the Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology.
The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is known to breed with the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in captivity and the two species were suspected to do the same in the wild, which has now been proven to be the case.
Cuban crocodiles were hunted for almost a century until the 1960’s. Experts estimate that a population of 3,000 resides in the Zapata swamp and another smaller group in the Lanier Swamp, although exact numbers are undetermined.
The team of researchers analyzed DNA from 89 wild Cuban and American crocodiles from several Caribbean islands and Central America. They found that not only have Cuban crocodiles and American crocodiles in Cuba mated, but that the two species are even more closely related than previously realized.
Genetically, the Cuban crocodile and the American crocodile in Cuba are actually only one percent different. Meanwhile, the American crocodile in Cuba and American crocodiles in Central America are eight percent different genetically.
The authors emphasize that the Cuban crocodile is a distinct species and that its successful conservation requires recognition that hybridization in the wild might lead to the loss of the pure parental populations.
