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Summary: Considering the escalating consumer preference for health‐conscious commodities, reptile species' meat can be presented as an alternative animal protein source because of its notable nutritional characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical parameters (pH, tenderness, cooking loss, colour and fatty acid profile) and sensory profile of black‐and‐white Tegu meat. The black‐and‐white Tegu meat was assessed through to consumer‐based sensory Analysis alongside the Yellow Anaconda, Broad‐snouted Caiman and broilers through. The samples of reptile species' meat were obtained from sustainable use programs. In terms of physicochemical parameters, the results indicate that black‐and‐white Tegu meat exhibits moderate brightness, displaying a pale pink/yellowish tone. Oleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in black‐and‐white Tegu meat, comprising approximately 22.5%, while the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was approximately 34%. Regarding overall liking, all four types of meats scored higher than indifference. However, black‐and‐white Tegu meat presented a lower acceptability (P < 0.001), likely attributed to its dry texture and unpleasant colour, as perceived by consumers. Our findings underscore the need to explore preparation methods for enhancing the sensory characteristics of black‐and‐white Tegu meat. This will enable its promotion as a healthy food choice in the future. The utilisation of black‐and‐white Tegu meat as a food source will benefit families participating in the sustainable use and conservation program, the 'Proyecto Tupinambis'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Using size and weight data from wild-caught adult broad-snouted caiman females, we calculated and compared two body condition indices (K-Fulton and SMI) with the objective of distinguishing reproductive from non-reproductive females. To achieve this, we looked for a threshold (size-dependent) that separated the body condition of females that were strictly reproductive from those that were not. Reproductive females showed better body condition than non-reproductive females. However, the minimum condition was not a determinant in separating reproductive from non-reproductive females, although it was possible to differentiate approximately 70% of the reproductive from the non-reproductive females. Therefore, we were able to categorize females >79 cm as females that will reproduce, despite not being in adequate condition, and <79 cm as females that will require a good body condition to reproduce. This information is of utmost importance when making decisions for the management or use, as well as for the conservation, of the species. In this work, we calculated the body condition indices, K-Fulton and scaled mass index (SMI), of reproductive and non-reproductive Caiman latirostris adult females as an indication of stored energy. We considered 87 adult females captured from 2001 to 2018, both reproductive and non-reproductive. The body condition was calculated considering two scenarios: (a) only the weight of the female, and (b) the sum of the weight of the female and the average dry weight of her nest. We tested the difference in body condition between reproductive and non-reproductive females. We also evaluated the minimal body condition required to guarantee that females above it are reproductive by drawing a line that separated the body condition of strictly reproductive individuals from those that may or may not be reproductive. Reproductive females had better body condition than non-reproductive ones. Our SMI.S line separated almost 70% of the reproductive females. Based on our results, we can guarantee that a female whose body condition is above the line will reproduce, although not all those females below the line are non-reproductive, as a few of those under the line will nest. With this information, we have one more biological indicator to take into account when making management and conservation decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We created a matrix model structured by stages (divided into 5 stages) to evaluate the population dynamics of Caiman latirostris and the population behavior at different management intensities through ranching and hunting of adult individuals. We generated 5000 matrices by sampling the mean and variance values of survivals (pi) and hatching for each stage. For each matrix, we obtained the growth rate and performed elasticity analyses. Modifying the mean matrix obtained from the previous analysis, we evaluated different scenarios of ranching, reintroduction, and hunting of adult females of the last two stages (E) raised here (class III animals, > 60 cm snout-vent length, divided into two: E4 and E5). We obtained a mean of 1.035 (range 0.88 - 1.12), and 11.9% of the simulations had < 1. The vital rate with the highest elasticity and variance was that of the adult females of the last stage. Natural populations can tolerate a maximum of 5% adult female hunting, and ranching can extract 55% of nests from the wild without reintroduction or 80% of nest harvest, returning to the wild at least 3% of hatched animals in the ranching programs. Our model showed that hunting and ranching with reintroduction are feasible strategies to be applied without threatening natural populations. Increasing reintroduction makes it possible to extract more adult individuals and maintain the species' populations at sustainable levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first life stage of crocodilians is considered the most critical in terms of survival, particularly in regions that have well-defined cold seasons. To estimate this parameter for hatchling broad-snouted caimans, Class I (CI = snout-vent length < 25 cm), we released 36 caimans (18 in 2018, and 18 in 2019) born in captivity that were equipped with VHF radio-transmitters, and we monitored them during each first winter season. We actively searched for the animals during field trips and registered their status as alive, dead, lost transmitter (LT), or radio signal ceased (SC). Due to the occurrence of LT and SC, we proposed eight possible survival scenarios, assuming different combinations of "alive" and "dead" caimans. We analyzed each scenario and compared it between years. In 2018 we found 55.5% dead and 44.5% LT, resulting in survival estimates from 0 to 0.38 according to the scenario. In 2019 we found 50% alive, 33% LT, and 17% SC, with survival varying from 0.5 to 1. Survival in 2019 was higher than in 2018 in all scenarios. Assuming predation was the most plausible cause of LT, with the most likely scenarios estimated 0% survival in 2018 (although the minimum detectable by this methodology is 5%) and 67% in 2019. This information can be helpful for ranching with release programs, as it allows for a better adjustment of the reintroduction rate and opens up the possibility of earlier releases when resources to keep animals in enclosures are scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reptile meats and fats are used for their medicinal properties and nutritional values perceived through the culture of native peoples, though often with no scientific basis. Providing scientific information about potential medicinal and nutritional use of reptile fats would be a strategy for the full use of wild animals, supporting the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. The objective of this study was to characterize and chemically compare the fat and oil of individuals of Argentine Black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) and Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) from sustainable use and conservation programs. In addition, we evaluated the microbiological characteristics and the antimicrobial activity of the oils obtained by different methods. We used two methodologies to obtain oils, one by fusion extraction and the other by drying-decantation (traditional hunter's method). We obtained the chemical and microbiological characterization of fat and oil of C. latirostris and S. merianae. All the oil samples presented less than 10 CFU/ml of all the microorganisms tested. C. latirostris and S. merianae oil showed nutritional quality parameters that indicate its potential use. Furthermore, S. merianae oil showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candidas tropicalis. No inhibition occurs for the rest of the microorganisms analyzed. C. latirostris oil did not show antimicrobial activity, although the lipid profile does indicate some anti-inflammatory potential. This study demonstrates the potential application of the tested oils and confirms the pharmacological basis for the traditional therapeutic use of S. merianae oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of the Broad-Snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris) ranges from 5°S to 32°S. Thus, caiman populations are exposed to different climatic conditions, and this latitudinal gradient could affect aspects of their reproduction. In this study we present evidence that there is a positive relationship between clutch size and latitude. A possible effect of smaller clutch size on populations from low latitudes could be increased nesting frequency, thus improving female fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]