External injuries of Morelet’s crocodile Crocodylus moreletii in Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

Analysis of external injuries in captive and free-ranging Morelet's crocodiles Crocodylus moreletii was performed in the northern wetlands of Campeche, Mexico. From March to September of 2007, a total of 52 free-ranging and 51 captive Morelet's crocodiles were studied. Captive crocodiles presented significantly more injuries. Sixteen free-ranging crocodiles presented some type of lesion, mostly superficial abrasions. Nineteen captive crocodiles presented lesions, mostly incisions from agonistic interactions. Overall, the injuries with highest prevalence were the incisions. The tail was the most frequently injured body region. Injuries were more common in adults than in other size classes. Conversely, the presence of lesions caused by the parasite Paratrichosoma spp. was greater in crocodiles captured in the coastal channels (mangrove habitat). The information presented here is important to understand some of the effects of individual interactions and to foresee and manage the consequences of conservation and management activities of crocodile populations. KEY WORDS: Individual interactions · Free-ranging crocodiles · Lesions · ParatrichosomaResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

Landscape features affect caiman body condition in the middle Araguaia River floodplain

“…territory or females in the breeding season (Cott, 1961;Huchzermeyer, 2003;Grigg & Kirshner, 2015;Padilla & Weber, 2016). Injuries may also be higher in waterbodies where crocodilian-human interactions are higher, with fatal consequences for local crocodilian populations (Pooley et al, 2021).…”

“…We found that injuries were more frequent in males than females but unrelated to anthropogenic waterbodies or higher human disturbance. Prevalence of injuries may relate to density‐dependent factors through social interactions, such as crowding, hierarchy and territory, where males usually engage in disputes for territory or females in the breeding season (Cott, 1961; Huchzermeyer, 2003; Grigg & Kirshner, 2015; Padilla & Weber, 2016). Injuries may also be higher in waterbodies where crocodilian–human interactions are higher, with fatal consequences for local crocodilian populations (Pooley et al ., 2021).…”