A rapid PCR-based test for species identification of two cryptic bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus and its application on museum and dropping samples

Authors: Kaňuch, Peter; Hájková, Petra; Řehák, Zdeněk; Bryja, Josef

Source: Acta Chiropterologica, Volume 9, Number 1, June 2007 , pp. 277-282(6)

Publisher: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences

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Abstract:

The identification of two cryptic bat species of the genus Pipistrellus using a non-destructive and quick method of multiplex PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis is described. Two primer combinations were able to produce species-specific bands that identified reliably individuals that were previously identified by mtDNA sequencing. Robustness of the method was subsequently successfully tested on 16 randomly selected free-living animals from central Europe (tissue samples obtained from a 3 mm punch of wing-membrane) identified to species on the basis of echolocation calls. Nine out of 15 museum specimens and 100% of fresh faecal samples from seven individuals were also successfully identified by this method. The described method thus provides a good way to routinely distinguish two Pipistrellus species by using non-destructive sampling of living individuals or droppings, and will be used in field studies of their ecology.

Keywords: CHIROPTERA; CYTOCHROME B; MTDNA; SIBLING SPECIES; NON-INVASIVE SAMPLING

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3161/150811007781694516

Publication date: 2007-06-01

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