Research 7 (3): 603-613 (2008) N.C.L. Dutra et al. tion to the mobility of this viper. Molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed some degree of subdivision in these populations, with a Φ ST value of 0.16, significant to the level of 1% by 1000 random permutations. We also performed a Bayesian analysis that confirmed the AMOVA results and found a value of θ B = 0.14 and an ƒ = 0.27, suggesting a high level of endogamy. This is the first study that characterizes genetic variability for this

more »

... tant species of the Bothrops genus, and our data are of significant importance in terms of classifying populations in relation to their conservational value and management strategies. Thus, given the high levels of population structure found in this case, we recommend sampling as many populations as possible to maximize the genetic variability to be preserved when aiming for in situ conservation. The same should be done to perform samplings toward ex situ conservation.