IngentaConnect Urine a source for noninvasive genetic monitoring in wildlife

Authors: HAUSKNECHT, ROLAND¹; GULA, ROMAN²; PIRGA, BARTOSZ²; KUEHN, RALPH¹

Source: Molecular Ecology Notes, Volume 7, Number 2, March 2007 , pp. 208-212(5)

Abstract:

Noninvasive samples are of increasing importance to study wild populations. In this study, we investigate the applicability of urine samples as the sole source of DNA for routine noninvasive genetic monitoring of wildlife using wolves (Canis lupus) as an example. Within the scope of a long-term wolf population survey, we collected during winter snow tracking in Bieszczady Mountains, Poland 41 urine samples considered as utilizable for genetic analyses. DNA concentration was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and six microsatellite loci were genotyped in threefold repeated genotyping experiments to assess the reliability of genetic analyses of urine. DNA concentration of 33 urine samples was successfully quantified and of 14 samples, we obtained congruent results for all analysed loci and all repeated genotyping experiments. The gender of urine samples was identified with a Y-chromosome-linked marker. Considering the high discovery rate of urine in conjunction with its genotype reliability, our study confirms that urine is a valuable source in noninvasive genetic monitoring. Additionally, preselection of samples via qPCR proved to be a powerful tool contributing to a beneficial cost-value ratio of genetic analyses by minimizing genotyping errors.

Keywords: individual molecular tracking; molecular sexing; qPCR; sampling efficiency; snow tracking; wolf

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2006.01622.x

Affiliations: 1: Molecular Ecology and Conservation Genetics Unit, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, TU Muenchen, Am Hochanger 13, D-85354 Freising, Germany, 2: Carpathian Wildlife Research Station, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ogrodowa 10, 38-700 Ustrzyki Dolne, Poland

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$50.16 plus tax Refund Policy

Urine — a source for noninvasive genetic monitoring in wildlife