19th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
June 1 – 8, 2008
Laurie Cotroneo
Ph.D. Candidate
Drexel University
Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Attending the Crocodile Specialist Group Meeting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia was very beneficial.
The conference gave me the opportunity to talk to numerous scientists who are working with crocodilians
around the world. I consulted with other crocodilian geneticists about common methods used and
problems encountered while employing these methods. This helped me to further define the methods that
I plan on using once I am able to start with the genetic analysis of the samples that I have collected. I also
learned about new microsatellites that have just been developed. I plan on incorporating these
microsatellites into my analysis.
Throughout the conference, I listened to talks on various topics on crocodilian biology, including
general biology, conservation, management, trade and genetics. The majority of the talks dealt with the
status and management of crocodilians within South American countries. A day was devoted to genetics
and the use of genetic tools in the management of crocodilians.
The conference also included two typical Bolivian dinners. Food ranged from rice and beans to
caiman and beef. The welcome dinner was held at Casa de Camba along the Pantanal and included
traditional dancing. We also received a tour of Crocoland, a caiman farm outside of Santa Cruz.
Overall I found the conference to be very helpful for my research. I met people who are willing to
help me in both the field and the lab. I was also able to talk with people about methods to clear up many
of the questions that had developed in the last few months. I also talked to a lot of people about the
problems I was having obtaining my CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)
and received helpful hints about how to resolve the problems. Much of what I learned at the conference
will be incorporated into my future field and lab work while I am completing my dissertation.
The Pantanal
Traditional dancing at Casa de Camba
Hatchling Caiman yacare at Crocoland