Abstract
We evaluated the feasibility of using faeces as a non-invasively collected DNA source for the genetic study of an endangered bird population (capercaillie; Tetrao urogallus). We used a multitube approach, and for our panel of 11 microsatellites genotyping reliability was estimated at 98% with five repetitions. Experiments showed that free DNases in faecal material were the major cause of DNA degradation. Our results demonstrate that using avian faeces as a source of DNA, reliable microsatellite genotyping can be obtained with a reasonable number of PCR replicates.
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References
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Acknowledgements
We are indebt to T. Broquet, R. Hammond, P. Taberlet and N. Valière for helpful discussions and valuable comments on the manuscript. We also thank C. Decoster, I. Py, M. Rosset (Bern Zoological Garden) and C. Salamin.
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Regnaut, S., Lucas, F.S. & Fumagalli, L. DNA degradation in avian faecal samples and feasibility of non-invasive genetic studies of threatened capercaillie populations. Conserv Genet 7, 449–453 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9023-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9023-7