engleski

Evaluation of methods for molecular sex-typing of three heron species from different DNA sources

Genetic markers are a useful tool for bird population monitoring, especially when combined with the ringing data, and particularly so in the vulnerable species. This study compared effectiveness of two DNA extraction methods: a standard protocol and a commercially available kit. The molecular sex typing was performed using PCR-based methods with 2550F/2781R set of primers in three species of herons: Great Egret, Purple, and Grey Heron. Genomic DNA was isolated from feathers, eggshells and eggshell swabs from 26 individuals. Overall, better DNA yields and purity were obtained by standard protocol isolation method. The highest DNA yield was obtained from the pin feathers compared to the contour feathers and eggshells, both of which had lower yield. Eggshell swabs indicated possible contamination with parental/sibling DNA. Our evaluation demonstrates that the optimization of lab procedures is beneficial, particularly when different types of the non-invasive tissue samples are available.

Ardeidae, CHD, sex determination, PCR

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