Electrophoretic characterization of a hybrid between Eretmochelys imbricata and Caretta caretta (Cheloniidae)

Abstract

An intermediate morphotype between Eretmochelys imbricata and Caretta caretta was studied in Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil. Three enzymatic systems were successfully analyzed: SOD, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and esterase (EST). Isoelectfic focusing of total soluble proteins of muscle and transferrin were shown. Esterase exhibited nine phenotype patterns, seven in C, caretta and one in the others morphotypes. SOD phenotypes were identical in the three morphotypes. Lactate dehydrogenase and transferrins were characteristic for each species. Jaccard's measure of similarity was calculated and a phenogram with the three morphotypes were constructed using isoelectric focusing of total soluble proteins.