DOI: 10.5061/dryad.2fqz6131b
title: Data from: Ecological and behavioral implications of multiple paternity in the Smooth-fronted caiman in French Guiana

description: The identification of genetic mating systems in a variety of species has
 challenged the previous view on animal mating patterns over the past
 decade, resulting in the identification of multiple paternity across all
 vertebrate classes. In crocodylians, all species that have been
 investigated demonstrate multiple paternity, which may represent the
 ancestral state of the clade. The Smooth-fronted caiman, Paleosuchus
 trigonatus, is one of the last species whose genetic mating system has yet
 to be investigated. In this study, we analyzed genetic samples of the
 smooth-fronted caiman in French Guiana, a secretive species that is
 difficult to observe in the wild. Scute samples were taken from three
 populations and five groups of neonates that hatched shortly before.
 Microsatellite markers were used to infer the minimum number of fathers
 that sired each clutch. Our results clearly show that multiple paternity
 was common, with 60% of the sampled group of neonates showing a minimum of
 two sires. The potential ecological and behavioral implications of this
 finding are discussed, as well as recommendations for future research
 avenues to elucidate this cryptic species’ mating behavior and
 environmental constraints.
description: # Ecological and behavioral implications of multiple paternity in the
 Smooth-fronted caiman in French Guiana Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.2fqz6131b](10.5061/dryad.2fqz6131b) ## Description of the
 data and file structure This is supporting data for the
 Article: *Ecological and behavioral implications of multiple paternity in
 the Smooth-fronted caiman in French Guiana*, published in Ecology and
 Evolution
 ([https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71337)](https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71337
 "Go to primary article") Authors: Carolin Dittrich, Rosanna
 Mangione, Olivier Marquis, Eva Ringler, Jérémy Lemaire The data sampling
 occurred between 2016 and 2020 in three populations in French Guiana (see
 Fig.1). We provide the micro-satellite data for each of the eight loci
 with Locus name according to Muniz et al. 2019. The data tables are
 provided in delimiter-separated csv format, explanations are given below.
 All details on data processing can be found in the manuscript. The details
 for the microsatellites can be found in the dataset
 Microsat_details_caimans_FrenchGuiana.csv The set shows the primers that
 were sequenced together in a multiplex approach (SET A and B). Given are
 primer names, the fluorescent dye used, primer sequences, repeat motif per
 primer binding site, the range of allele sizes, and the annealing
 temperature per primer (modified after Muniz et al. 2019). Details on
 other files below. ### Files and variables #### File:
 Microsat\_details\_caimans\_FrenchGuiana.csv **Description:** detailed
 description of the chosen micro satellites for parental analysis, primer
 sequences from Muniz, FdL., Ximenes, A. M., Bittencourt, P. S.,
 Hernández-Rangel, S. M., Campos, Z., Hrbek, T. and Farias, I. P. (2019).
 Detecting population structure of *Paleosuchus trigonatus* (Alligatoridae:
 Caimaninae) through microsatellites markers developed by next generation
 sequencing. *Molecular Biology Reports,* *46*(2), 2473-2484.
 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-019-04709-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-019-04709-7) **Variables** * SET: A or B, sequences that were run together on the sequenzer  * primer name: according to Muniz et al. 2019  * dye: fluorescent dye used * primer sequence: * repeat motif: repeat motif per primer binding site * size range: size range of allel sizes * TA: annealing temperature per primer in °C  #### File: ReadMe\_Data\_Smooth-fronted\_caiman.txt **Description:** description of files in txt format #### File: Data\_Smooth-fronted\_caiman\_French-Guiana.csv **Description:** data on smooth fronted caiman samples obtained between  2016 and 2020 in three populations in French Guiana **Variables** * ID: lab ID  * Locus: loci with both alleles per locus (name according to Muniz et al. 2019) * sex: sex of the sampled individual, either not available (NA), male (M) or female (F) * status: age status of each individual, either juvenile from that specific sampling year or neonate (JUV), subadult (SUB) or adult (A) * year: year of sampling * location: location of sampling, names given in full * comment: association of a group of hatchlings to a nest, potential females for a specific nest location