Sima Pandya’s scientific contributions

Caiman crocodilus and C. yacare are economically valuable species afforded legal protection both within the United States and around the world. While five populations of these species have received formal taxonomic recognition between 1758 and 1955, there has never been an analysis of variation across populations representing the entire range of these species. We examined 13 external morphological characteristics in 360 individuals from known localities distributed throughout the range of these taxa. Using covariance, principal component and discriminant function analyses, we find no defensible basis for the partition of C. crocodilus into subspecies, nor do we feel that considering C. yacare a subspecies of C. crocodilus, as proposed by some, is warranted. The implication of these findings for enforcement of current legislation is discussed.