An overlooked DNA source for non-invasive genetic analysis in birds

Non-invasive sampling is a useful tool for genetic analyses of endangered and/or elusive species, but it is often inapplicable due to the low quality and quantity of the DNA obtained. In this study we show that the blood clot located in the superior umbilicus of the feather shaft is a better source...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of avian biology Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 84 - 88
Main Authors Horváth, Márton B., Martínez-Cruz, Begoña, Negro, Juan J., Kalmár, Lajos, Godoy, José A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Copenhagen Munksgaard International Publishers 01.01.2005
Blackwell
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Subjects
Animal genetics
Bird populations
Birds
Communications
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Eagles
Endangered species
Feathers
Medical genetics
Mitochondrial DNA
Polymerase chain reaction
Population genetics
Specimens
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN0908-8857
1600-048X
DOI10.1111/j.0908-8857.2005.03370.x

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Summary:Non-invasive sampling is a useful tool for genetic analyses of endangered and/or elusive species, but it is often inapplicable due to the low quality and quantity of the DNA obtained. In this study we show that the blood clot located in the superior umbilicus of the feather shaft is a better source of DNA than the previously used tip samples from moulted feathers. We found that feather clots from museum specimens provided results nearly as good as footpad and better than those from the more commonly used museum skin snips. Feather clots proved to be a good source of DNA for genetic analysis that will significantly facilitate genetic monitoring of wild bird populations.
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ArticleID:JAV3370
ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:0908-8857
1600-048X
DOI:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2005.03370.x