Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Title page: Dept. of Genetics, Faculty of Science. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Haliotis midae, or Perlemoen, is the only cultured species of abalone in South Africa and is under great international demand. This species is considered endangered, making sustainable farming practises and law enforcement against poaching essential for maintaining wild stocks. A limited amount of broodstock animals are provided to each farm from which thousands of offspring are grown and exported. The prevention of inbreeding and preservation of genetic diversity within farmed stocks is necessary for future sustainable farming and production of genetically stable offspring. Further research into the genetic dynamics of Perlemoen will provide the knowledge for advanced management programs for optimal farming practises and essentially sustainable production. This study focuses on genetic linkage map development with the intention of future identification of markers associated with genes of economic importance, such as growth rate. Identification of markers linked to genes responsible for such phenotypic traits will ultimately allow farming practises to select naturally genetically superior animals for breeding, thereby enhancing production. For the construction of a genetic linkage map of H. midae, microsatellite markers were developed using two strategies: FIASCO and screening of next generation sequence-bysynthesis contig data. The FIASCO-derived markers were characterised by genotype screening in 32 individuals from a full-sib family and analysed using Mendelian segregation expectations. The Illumina-derived markers were characterised by genotype screening in 32 individuals from wild populations and analysed against Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Forty four microsatellite-family combinations were obtained from FIASCO of which 28 provided informative genotype results (32% success). Twenty two markers were developed from sequence-by-synthesis screening. Fourteen provided reliable genotypes (37%) and six conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations. These markers were used, in addition to 156 previously developed markers, to develop sex-specific and sex-average linkage maps in two full-sib families consisting of approximately 100 offspring each. One hundred and six polymorphic loci were used for linkage analysis (LOD>3) in both families. The number of linkage groups obtained from sex-specific maps ranged from 13-16. The average genome length ranged from 500 cM to 800 cM with an average marker spacing of 10 cM. The sex-average linkage map provided 18 linkage groups with an average genome length calculation of 1800 cM and average marker spacing of approximately 13 cM. The linkage maps created in this study are preliminary but provide a stepping stone towards a high density map incorporating high throughput markers. This also provides a base for QTL mapping studies, in which phenotypic traits of interest can be identified and associated to specific locations in the H. midae genome for marker-assisted selection. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Haliotis midae, ook bekend as Perlemoen, is in groot internasionale aanvraag en is ook die enigste klipkous spesie waarmee in Suid Afrika geboer word. Hierdie spesie word as bedreig beskou en daarom is volhoubare boerdery bedrywe en wetstoepassing teen stroping noodsaaklik om wilde populasies te beskerm. Elke perlemoenplaas word met ‘n beperkte aantal broeidiere verskaf, waarvan die nageslag dan gekweek en uitgevoer word. Voorkoming van inteling en handhawing van genetiese diversiteit binne gekweekte populasies is noodsaakllik vir toekomstige volhoubare kweking en produksie van ń geneties stabiele nageslag. Verdere ondersoeke na die genetiese dinamika van Perlemoen sal die nodige kennis verskaf om sodoende gevorderde bestuursprogramme te ontwikkel, wat tot optimale kweek praktyke en effektiewe volhoubare produksie sal lei. Hierdie studie fokus op die ontwikkeling van ‘n genetiese koppelingskaart met die voorneme om toekomstige merkers te identifiseer wat met gene van ekonomiese belang, soos byvoorbeeld groei tempo geassosieerd is. Identifisering van merkers wat vir sulke fenotipiese eienskappe verantwoordelik is sal sodoende toelaat dat boerdery praktyke kan selekteer vir diere vir verbeterde teling en produksie. Mikrosatelliet merkers is ontwikkel om die genetiese koppelingskaart saam te stel. Die volgende twee strategieë is benut: FIASCO en sifting van volgende generasie volgordebepaling-deur-sintese “contig” data. Die FIASCO-afgeleide merkers is gekarakteriseer deur genotipiese sifting in 32 individue van ‘n volsib familie en is deur Mendeliese segregasie verwagtinge ge-analiseer. Die Illumina-afgeleide merkers is gekarakteriseer deur genotipiese sifting in 32 individue van wilde populasies en is met Hardy-Weinberg ewewig ge-analiseer. Vier en veertig mikrosatelliet-familie kombinasies is deur FIASCO verky, waarvan 28 informatiewe genotipiese resultate gelewer het (32% sukses). Twee en twintig merkers is vanaf volgordebepaling-deur-sintese sifting ontwikkel. Veertien van hierdie merkers het betroubare genotipes (37%) verskaf en ses het aan Hardy-Weinberg verwagtinge voldoen. Hierbenewens is 156 voorheen ontwikkelde merkers gebruik om geslagspesifieke en geslagsgemiddelde koppelingskaarte in twee volsib families saam te stel. Hierdie volsib families het uit ń naslag van 100 elk bestaan. Een honderd en ses polimorfiese lokusse is vir koppelingsanalise gebruik, waar ‘n LOD waarde groter as drie statisties betekenisvol geag was. Die aantal koppelingsgroepe verkry van geslagspesifieke kaarte het tussen 13 en 16 gewissel. Die gemiddelde genoom lengte het van 500 cM tot 800 cM met ‘n gemiddelde merker spasiëring van 10 cM. Die geslagsgemiddelde koppelingskaart het 18 koppelingsgroepe gehad met ‘n gemiddelde genoom lengte berekening van 1800 cM en ‘n gemiddelde merker spasiëring van ongeveer 13 cM. Die koppelingskaarte wat in hierdie studie geskep is, is voorlopig en verskaf ‘n grondslag vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n hoër digtheidskaart, wat hoë deurset merkers inkorporeer. Dit verskaf ook ‘n basis vir kwantitatiewe kenmerk lokus karteringstudies. Hierdie karteringstudies kan fenotipiese eienskappe van belang identifiseer en assosieer met spesifieke posisies binne die H. midae genoom vir merker bemiddelde seleksie.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-11-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:01:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 suganuma_ch_dr_jabo.pdf: 2851427 bytes, checksum: 03ed93e6b51f4af5d916613162e4b58b (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal ampliar o conhecimento sobre a estrutura genética e obter informações para a conservação de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887), provenientes de populações selvagens dos rios da Bacia do Alto Paraguai. Esta espécie possui grande valor comercial e imenso potencial para exploração em pisciculturas. Os marcadores moleculares do tipo microssatélite utilizados neste estudo, resultaram em muitas informações sobre a estrutura populacional desta espécie, permitindo uma possível caracterização dos bancos genéticos para esta espécie. Exemplares provenientes de nove sub-bacias do Pantanal Matogrossense foram coletados para a realização da extração de DNA visando à análise do material genômico. Para isto, foram retirados pequenos fragmentos de nadadeira de cada indivíduo. A amplificação dos locos microssatélites foi realizada num termociclador de PCR utilizando oligonucleotídeos marcados com fluorescência, conforme descrito na literatura. A genotipagem foi realizada no seqüenciador automático MegaBACETM 1000 (Amersham Biosciences), pertencente ao Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano da Universidade de São Paulo. Os tamanhos dos alelos obtidos foram organizados para a montagem das matrizes de dados que foram submetidas aos programas computacionais para verificar a variabilidade genética nas populações. Os parâmetros que permitiram a determinação da diversidade genética intra e interpopulacional foram o número de alelos por loco, riqueza alélica, heterozigosidade observada e esperada, equilíbrio de Hardy Weinberg, índices Fst e Rst, análise de variância molecular (AMOVA), índice de fixação, desequilíbrio de ligacão e o número de migrantes. Também foi feita uma análise bayesiana para verificar a estrutura populacional e um dendrograma foi gerado a partir da matriz de distância baseada... / This work aimed to obtain information about the genetic structure of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887), from wild populations of Alto Paraguai Basin Rivers. This specie has a greatly commercial importance, with huge potential for hatcheries. The pacu has a wide distribution in the Prata Basin, formed by Paraguay, Paraná and Uruguay rivers and their tributaries Microsatellites markers offer relevant information about this specie, allowing the characterization of genetic stocks. Individuals from nine sampling sites in the Pantanal Matogrossense were analysed in this study. DNA extraction methods did not required killing the samples, we used fin clippings from each individual. The amplification of microsatellites loci was carried out via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotide marked with fluorescent labels. The amplified fragments were analysed on the automatic DNA sequencer MegaBACETM 1000 (Amersham Biosciences), belonged to Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano from Universidade de São Paulo. Allele sizes were organized in an input file that was submitted statistical analysis to verify the genetic variability of populations. The parameters used to estimate the genetic diversity intra and interpoulation were number of allele per locus, allele richness, observed and expected heterozygosities, Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, molecular variance analyses (AMOVA), fixation index, linkage disequilibrium and gene flow. Bayesian estimates were used to verify the populacional structure and a dendogram was calculated by the distances matrix based on chord distances values. The results showed no population structuring and intense gene flow. The most probable causes are the hight migratory capacityof this fish and the climatic and geographic characteristics of the Pantanal Matogrossense.

Resumo: O veado-campeiro (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) é uma das oito espécies de cervídeos reconhecidas no Brasil. Efeitos das atividades de caça, introdução de animais domésticos, destruição, fragmentação e alteração na qualidade do habitat são causas potenciais de ameaças às populações dessa espécie, sendo que a população existente no Pantanal é a mais significativa da espécie. Estudos a respeito da estrutura social do veado-campeiro são escassos e, além disso, a literatura apresenta questões controversas e outras em aberto. Dentro desse contexto, o presente projeto de pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a estrutura social da população de veadoscampeiro na região central do Pantanal (MS, Brasil). Para tanto, 12 fêmeas foram marcadas com radiotransmissores, e utilizadas como animal focal para a observação da constituição de seus grupos. Amostras de fezes de integrantes do grupo dessas fêmeas foram coletadas mensalmente durante o período de 1 ano. O DNA das amostras de fezes foi extraído e amplificado por meio de iniciadores para seis regiões microssatélites. As análises permitiram acessar o nível de proximidade genética entre os animais que formavam cada grupo, sendo que o grau de parentesco foi significativo entre quatro fêmeas marcadas e seu respectivo grupo, devido, principalmente, a permanência de seus filhotes até o nascimento de um novo indivíduo em seu agrupamento. Para as demais fêmeas e análises realizadas, foi verificado que o grau de parentesco entre os animais não foi significativo. Esse fato contribui com a manutenção da diversidade genética da população, sendo que, a conservação do ambiente no qual estes animais estão inseridos é uma premissa para que o comportamento social dessa espécie se mantenha ao longo dos anos / Abstract: The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) is onde of eight recognized species of deer in Brazil. Effects of hunting, introduction of livestock, destruction, fragmentation and change in habitat quality are potential causes of threats to populations of this species, and the existing population in the Pantanal is the most significant in our country. Studies on the structure social pampas deer are scarce and, moreover, the literature presents controversial issues and other open. Within this context, this research project aimed at analyzing the social structure of population of pampas deer in the central region of the Pantanal (MS, Brazil). To this end, 12 females were marked with radio tranmitters, and used as focal animal for observation of the groups. Stool samples from members of 11 groups were collected monthly during period of one yaer. The DNA from stool samples was extracted and amplified using primers for six microsatellite regions. The analysis allows to access the level of genetic proximity between the animals that made up each group, and the degree of kinship was significant in four marked females and their respective group, due to mainly stay in their young until the birth of a new individual in their group. For the other females and analyzes it was found that the degree of relatedness among the animals was not significant. This contributes to maintaining the genetic diversity of the population, and the conservation of the environment in which these animals are inserted is a premise for the social behavior of this species is maintained over the years / Orientador: José Maurício Barbanti Duarte / Coorientador: Mateus José Rodrigues Paranhos da Costa / Coorientador: Renato Caparroz / Banca: Adriana Coletto Morales / Banca: Renata Alonso Miotto / Mestre

Regeneration from stem and branch fragments of the moss Helodium blandowii was examined in common garden and field experiments. The treatments included one cm long terminal stem fragments and branches of one cm and half cm length with and without the terminal and their regeneration was observed in course of 3 months in the common garden experiment and 15 months in the field. Dynamics of Helodium patches was observed in course of 2 years in permanent plots of the nature reserve Ruda. Genetic stucture of all recent Czech populations of Helodium blandowii was investigated and compared with a pilot survey of populations from Scandinavia and Lithuania using the microsatellite markes developed for this study.

Regeneration from stem and branch fragments of the moss Helodium blandowii was examined in common garden and field experiments. The treatments included one cm long terminal stem fragments and branches of one cm and half cm length with and without the terminal and their regeneration was observed in course of 3 months in the common garden experiment and 15 months in the field. Dynamics of Helodium patches was observed in course of 2 years in permanent plots of the nature reserve Ruda. Genetic stucture of all recent Czech populations of Helodium blandowii was investigated and compared with a pilot survey of populations from Scandinavia and Lithuania using the microsatellite markes developed for this study.

Golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) are generally an elusive and rare species throughout their geographic range in the southeastern United States. They are considered to be habitat specialists that prefer dense understory consisting of shrubs and vines. Golden mice are less vagile, and likely disperse shorter distances than other sympatric species such as the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Conversely, white-footed mice are considered habitat generalists that inhabit a variety of habitat types, are more vagile, and disperse farther than golden mice. Because of this it is likely that golden mice have a lower genetic diversity and are more genetically subdivided than white-footed mice. In southern Illinois, golden mice are on the periphery of their range, which is one of the reasons they are on the state-threatened list in Illinois. It has been hypothesized that populations on the periphery of a species range will have more population structure and lower genetic diversity than populations in the core of the range. Tissue samples for golden mice and white-footed mice were collected from 24 sites throughout southern Illinois and 24 sites throughout the golden mouse core range. I analyzed 13 and 10 microsatellite markers as well as 594 and 624 base pairs of the mitochondrial control region for golden mice and white-footed mice, respectively, to characterize and compare the genetic diversity and population structure of both species. Overall haplotype diversity (0.76) and nucleotide diversity (0.20%) was lower in golden mice compared to white footed mice (0.99 and 1.97%). Results of an AMOVA using the mitochondrial control region revealed more subdivision among the 3 populations of golden mice (Φst = 0.099, P < 0.001) than among the 3 populations of white-footed mice (Φst = 0.058, P < 0.001). Microsatellite loci showed a similar trend with overall FST values of 0.027 (P < 0.001) for golden mice and 0.004 (P = 0.137) for white-footed mice. I intended to compare golden mouse individuals from southern Illinois and the core of the range, but too few individuals were collected from the core. More samples need to be collected throughout the core of the range to better understand the population genetics of golden mice in the core of the range compared to the periphery.

Southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis (Zimmerman), is one of the most destructive insect pests of pine trees in southern United States, Mexico and Central America. There is relatively little information on the effect of habitat fragmentation on the connectivity and the spatial population genetics of SPB. This study therefore, adds to previously generated information by assessing how habitat fragmentation affects the spatial population genetic structure of SPB. It also introduces a new approach to the study of bark beetle population dynamics by assessing how landscape variables shape their effective dispersal. To address this issue, a suite of eight highly polymorphic DNA microsatellite markers were used to measure SPB movement over a representative range of SPB habitat and non-habitat (matrix). At the broadest scale, highly significant genetic differentiation suggests that the sampled populations are not panmictic. Loci with higher variability yielded higher resolution for both the infinite allele model based measure of differentiation (FST) and the stepwise mutation based measure (RST) estimates. It is apparent that allelic frequency differences, allelic size ranges and repeat motif played a role in the observed patterns of pair-wise differentiations between the sampled localities. It is supposed that gene flow, wide-range dispersal and recent divergent time could have contributed to the lower level of genetic structure observed in the pair wise estimates. The sampled populations did not show any differentiation attributable to the host species from which they were collected. Mantel test of genetic distance and Euclidean geographic distance revealed no correlation. Mantel tests of the correlation between genetic distance and cost weighted Euclidean distances also suggest that dispersal of SPB across geographic barriers is not significantly reduced. Thus, landscape features and host preference do not appear to have had an impact on population genetic structure of SPB. Since movements of these beetles were not significantly hindered by environmental factors like major rivers, roads, elevation and host type, it is advisable for regional pest management offices to put an effort and coordinate their prevention and management plans in a broader scale to alleviate the problem associated with this native insect pest. Disequilibrium in the observed homogenized pattern of the beetle in this study suggests human contribution in the dispersal of SPB. Therefore, stringent control is deemed necessary in transportation of logs. This could improve our pest management system hence its positive implication in timber industry is obvious.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2012-07-20T21:11:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Kathleen Ribeiro SouzaAvaliação de parâmetros moleculares para....pdf: 2252523 bytes, checksum: 982a659125f51498b2c5188068c9718f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-20T21:11:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kathleen Ribeiro SouzaAvaliação de parâmetros moleculares para....pdf: 2252523 bytes, checksum: 982a659125f51498b2c5188068c9718f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Apesar do combate recorrente ao mosquito vetor da dengue, o Aedes aegypti, mais de 80% dos estratos da cidade de Salvador-BA apresentam condição de alerta ou risco de surto de dengue. Visto que as abordagens tradicionais para controle do mosquito vetor da dengue não têm produzido os efeitos esperados, o presente estudo avaliou parâmetros moleculares para vigilância entomológica do A. aegypti utilizando ferramentas de geotecnologia e de genética de populações como forma de apoiar o trabalho de campo e ações integradas das instâncias responsáveis pelo controle da dengue. O desenho do estudo apresentou um componente transversal, descrevendo dados sobre a genética de população de larvas de A. aegypti coletadas em Salvador e amostras controle coletadas no ano de 2009 em Jacobina e Vitória da Conquista, além da cepa Rockfeller, e um longitudinal, sobre amostras de quatro áreas (Plataforma, Itapagipe, Tancredo Neves e Itapuã) durante quatro ciclos do LIRAa Salvador entre 2007 a 2009. O DNA de cada larva foi isolado pelo método DNAzol® e genotipado por 5 marcadores SSR através da técnica de PCR e eletroforese capilar. A distribuição espacial dos criadouros foi realizada utilizando-se ortofotos pelo programa Arcview v. 9.3. Para a análise da diferenciação populacional e teste de hipótese foram utilizados os programas GenePop, GenAlEx e Spade, e para inferência populacional utilizamos o programa structure. Os marcadores encontraram-se, em geral, em equilíbrio de H-W e comportaram-se como independentes. Quando utilizamos a estatística Φpt e RST foi possível discriminar significantemente (p<0,05) populações geneticamente diferenciadas de A. aegypti a nível de município, áreas do município de Salvador e estratos pertencentes a estas áreas. O programa structure indicou K igual a 2 populações como ideal para representar os dados, considerando a população de Salvador uma miscigenação de populações de A. aegypti de outras regiões do estado. Os resultados do estudo longitudinal mostraram uma diferenciação entre os ciclos de 2008.3 e 2009.4. As medidas de Ne variaram consideravelmente por área e ciclo evidenciando o efeito de gargalo de garrafa em diferentes períodos em cada área, apesar de não haver correlação com o IIP. A partir dos resultados obtidos, concluímos que o controle vetorial produz alterações sobre a estrutura populacional do A. aegypti, mas que não são efetivas. O uso do georreferenciamento e de informações genéticas do vetor poderiam contribuir para a definição das áreas de abrangência das populações do A. aegypti e para a tomada de decisões a respeito do manejo do tratamento. / Despite the recurring attempts to combat the mosquito vector of dengue, Aedes aegypti, more than 80% of the strata of the city of Salvador-BA show alert condition or risk of an outbreak of dengue. Since traditional approaches to control the mosquito vector of dengue have not produced the expected results, this study evaluated molecular parameters for entomological surveillance of A. aegypti using tools of geotechnology and population genetics as a way of supporting the fieldwork and integrating the actions of the authorities responsible for integrated dengue control. The design of the study had a transverse component, describing data on the population genetics of larvae of A. aegypti collected in Salvador and control samples collected in 2009 in Jacobina and Vitoria da Conquista, in addition to the Rockefeller strain, and a longitudinal samples from four areas (Plataforma, Itapagipe, Tancredo Neves and Itapuã) for four cycles LIRAa of Salvador between 2007 to 2009. The DNA of each larva was isolated by the DNAzol ® method and genotyped with five STR (short tandem repeat) markers by PCR and capillary electrophoresis. The spatial distribution of breeding sites was performed using ortophotos by the program ArcView v.9.3. For the analysis of population differentiation and hypothesis testing the programs GenePop, GenAlEx Spade were used, and for population inference the program structure was used. The markers were usually found to be in H-W equilibrium and behaved as independent. When we use the statistics Φpt and RST it was possible to discriminate (p <0.05) genetically differentiated populations of A. aegypti at the municipal level, between areas of Salvador and strata within these areas. The program structure indicated K equal to 2 populations as ideal to represent the data, considering the population of Salvador is a mixture of populations of A. aegypti in other regions of the state. The results of the longitudinal study showed a difference between the cycles of 2008.3 and 2009.4 Ne measures varied considerably by area and cycle showing the effect of bottleneck in different periods in each area, although no correlation with the IIP. Given these results we conclude that the vector control produces changes on the population structure of A. aegypti, but are not effective. Tthe use of georeferencing and vector’s genetic information could help define the catchment areas of populations of A. aegypti and for making decisions about the management of treatment.

Genetic analysis of 433 samples of serious crop pest aphid Diuraphis noxia was conducted with the use of 8 microsatellites loci. Statistical analysis revealed sexual reproduction of D. noxia in temperate regions. The linkage disequilibrium was detected because of the excess of heterozygotes. These results support the theory of RNDr. Starý about the invasion of D. noxia to American continent via states of North Africa, Spain and France.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-07-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:14:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 mantellatto_amb_me_jabo.pdf: 1226641 bytes, checksum: c169087a2c251650d718092c5eeab5ad (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O veado-campeiro (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) é uma das oito espécies de cervídeos reconhecidas no Brasil. Efeitos das atividades de caça, introdução de animais domésticos, destruição, fragmentação e alteração na qualidade do habitat são causas potenciais de ameaças às populações dessa espécie, sendo que a população existente no Pantanal é a mais significativa da espécie. Estudos a respeito da estrutura social do veado-campeiro são escassos e, além disso, a literatura apresenta questões controversas e outras em aberto. Dentro desse contexto, o presente projeto de pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a estrutura social da população de veadoscampeiro na região central do Pantanal (MS, Brasil). Para tanto, 12 fêmeas foram marcadas com radiotransmissores, e utilizadas como animal focal para a observação da constituição de seus grupos. Amostras de fezes de integrantes do grupo dessas fêmeas foram coletadas mensalmente durante o período de 1 ano. O DNA das amostras de fezes foi extraído e amplificado por meio de iniciadores para seis regiões microssatélites. As análises permitiram acessar o nível de proximidade genética entre os animais que formavam cada grupo, sendo que o grau de parentesco foi significativo entre quatro fêmeas marcadas e seu respectivo grupo, devido, principalmente, a permanência de seus filhotes até o nascimento de um novo indivíduo em seu agrupamento. Para as demais fêmeas e análises realizadas, foi verificado que o grau de parentesco entre os animais não foi significativo. Esse fato contribui com a manutenção da diversidade genética da população, sendo que, a conservação do ambiente no qual estes animais estão inseridos é uma premissa para que o comportamento social dessa espécie se mantenha ao longo dos anos / The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) is onde of eight recognized species of deer in Brazil. Effects of hunting, introduction of livestock, destruction, fragmentation and change in habitat quality are potential causes of threats to populations of this species, and the existing population in the Pantanal is the most significant in our country. Studies on the structure social pampas deer are scarce and, moreover, the literature presents controversial issues and other open. Within this context, this research project aimed at analyzing the social structure of population of pampas deer in the central region of the Pantanal (MS, Brazil). To this end, 12 females were marked with radio tranmitters, and used as focal animal for observation of the groups. Stool samples from members of 11 groups were collected monthly during period of one yaer. The DNA from stool samples was extracted and amplified using primers for six microsatellite regions. The analysis allows to access the level of genetic proximity between the animals that made up each group, and the degree of kinship was significant in four marked females and their respective group, due to mainly stay in their young until the birth of a new individual in their group. For the other females and analyzes it was found that the degree of relatedness among the animals was not significant. This contributes to maintaining the genetic diversity of the population, and the conservation of the environment in which these animals are inserted is a premise for the social behavior of this species is maintained over the years