DNA profilinf of Queensland Koalas reveals sufficient variability for individual identification and parentage determination.

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Cocciolone ◽  
P Timms
Keyword(s):  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Average Variation ◽  
Dna Profiles ◽  
M13 Probe ◽  
Paternity Cases

M13 probe was used in combination with the restriction enzymes Msp I and Bam HI to produce DNA profiles of captive and free-range Queensland koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). The Msp I-M13 combination resulted in profiles with an average of 22 clearly resolvable bands in the 1.5-7.6-kb range. When seven koalas (part of a 40-animal free-range population) were analysed, they exhibited 8-29% band polymorphism (average variation of 17%). The Bam HI-MI3 combination produced 28 resolvable bands with an average of 9% band polymorphism. The Msp I-M13 profiling system was also used to successfully determine paternity in two family groups. Of the 66 total bands produced when mother, father and offspring were profiled, 11 were common to all three family members, nine were unique to the mother and four were unique to the father. However, two maternal-specific and eight paternalspecific bands were inherited by the offspring. DNA profiling of koalas (at least of those from Queensland) should prove useful for assessing the degree of inbreeding in captive populations, solving disputed paternity cases in wildlife poaching, determining the social organisation of free-range koalas, identifying individual koalas and studying the genetics of the koala throughout its range.

The Growing Role of Genetic Professionals in Forensic DNA

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Dna Typing ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Bar Code ◽  
Genomic Polymorphism ◽  
Recombinant Dna Techniques ◽  
Dna Profiles

AbstractThrough the last decade there was an enormous revolution in the field of forensic genetic.The Author reviews some of the methodologies used in the definitions of DNA profiling tackling the principles of recombinant DNA techniques. The potentiality of polymorphic DNA fragments in vertebrates is focused as well as the revolution implied in forensic medicine. The resource to DNA-DNA hybridization combined to oligonucleotide probes is emphasized leading to the production of an individual bar code with the resource of genomic polymorphism which leads to a pattern known as genetic fingerprinting. Other techniques for individual identification and paternity testing are focused as well as the use of short tandem repeats (STR's). Mitochondrial DNA sequencing use to complement nuclear DNA typing may also be profitable in certain instances. Relevant problems within the context of the use of these techniques in forensic medicine and law suits are discussed. Final considerations viewing the resource to DNA technology within the scope of the last two decades are referred regarding the resource to DNA profiles not only in the US but in Europe in general and in Portugal in special having lead to compensation and uncover of justice errors.

Antiphonal exchanges in African elephants (Loxodonta africana): collective response to a shared stimulus, social facilitation, or true communicative event?

Behaviour ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Savage ◽  
Joseph Soltis ◽  
Katherine Leighty ◽  
Kirsten Leong
Keyword(s):  
Social Facilitation ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Vocal Response ◽  
African Elephants ◽  
Facilitation Effect ◽  
The Social ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
The Individual ◽  
External Stimuli

AbstractFemale African elephants are thought to exchange 'rumble' vocalizations, but such temporally associated calls may not constitute communicative events. Affiliated females are more likely to engage in antiphonal calling, but affiliation is defined according to time spent in proximity. Affiliated partners may vocalize in sequence simply because their proximity causes them to collectively respond to shared external stimuli or due to a social facilitation effect. We used bi-variate and partial correlation analyses to test for the independent effects of the strength of the social relationship and distance between vocal partners on the likelihood of a vocal response. Female African elephants at Disney's Animal Kingdom were video-taped and outfitted with audio-recording collars that allowed for the individual identification of low-frequency rumbles. Affiliation had a strong influence on response likelihood, even after controlling for the effects of the distance between vocalizing partners. Further, the distance between vocalizing partners did not correlate with response likelihood, and factoring out the effects of affiliation did not significantly alter this result. These results suggest that rumble exchanges are communicative events that reflect social bonds, not simply artifacts of increased proximity and, therefore, provide support for functional hypotheses concerning rumble exchanges in wild African elephants.

scholarly journals Intraspecific mitochondrial DNA polymorphism within the emerging filamentous fungal pathogen Trichoderma longibrachiatum

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Antal ◽  
János Varga ◽  
László Kredics ◽  
András Szekeres ◽  
Lóránt Hatvani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer ◽  
Dna Polymorphism ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Trichoderma Longibrachiatum ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Polymorphism ◽  
Mitochondrial Dnas ◽  
Dna Profiles

The genetic diversity of the emerging fungal pathogen Trichoderma longibrachiatum was examined at the level of mitochondrial DNA. The 17 investigated strains, comprising nine clinical and eight non-clinical isolates, exhibited seven and ten different mitochondrial DNA profiles by using the restriction enzymes BsuRI and Hin6I, respectively. The sizes of mitochondrial DNAs varied from 34·9 to 39·5 kb. The discriminatory power of the method was higher than that of internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis and therefore should be more suitable for identification and epidemiological investigations. However, clinical and non-clinical isolates did not form separate clusters on the resulting dendrogram and thus there was no indication of a correlation between genetic structure and pathogenicity of the isolates.

scholarly journals Autosomal STR Profiling and Databanking in Malaysia: Current Status and Future Prospects

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1112
Author(s):  
Hashom Mohd Hakim ◽  
Hussein Omar Khan ◽  
Japareng Lalung ◽  
Bryan Raveen Nelson ◽  
Geoffrey Keith Chambers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Dna Profiling ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Weight Of Evidence ◽  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Kinship Analysis ◽  
Forensic Dna Analysis ◽  
Dna Profiles

Science and technology are extensively used in criminal investigation. From the mid- to late-1980s, one of the scientific discoveries that has had a particularly remarkable impact on this field has been the use of highly variable DNA sequence regions (minisatellites) in the human genome for individual identification. The technique was initially referred to as DNA fingerprinting, but is now more widely referred to as DNA profiling. Since then, many new developments have occurred within this area of science. These include the introduction of new genetic markers (microsatellites also known as short tandem repeats/STRs), the use of the polymerase chain reaction for target amplification, the development of DNA databases (databanking), and the advancement and/or improvement of genotyping protocols and technologies. In 2019, we described the progress of DNA profiling and DNA databanking in Malaysia for the first time. This report included information on DNA analysis regulations and legislation, STR genotyping protocols, database management, and accreditation status. Here, we provide an update on the performance of our DNA databank (numbers of DNA profiles and hits) plus the technical issues associated with correctly assigning the weight of evidence for DNA profiles in an ethnically diverse population, and the potential application of rapid DNA testing in the country. A total of 116,534 DNA profiles were obtained and stored in the Forensic DNA Databank of Malaysia (FDDM) by 2019, having increased from 70,570 in 2017. The number of hits increased by more than three-fold in just two years, where 17 and 69 hits between the DNA profiles stored in the FDDM and those from crime scenes, suspects, detainees, drug users, convicts, missing persons, or volunteers were recorded in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Forensic DNA analysis and databanking are thus progressing well in Malaysia and have already contributed to many criminal investigations. However, several other issues are discussed here, including the need for STR population data for uncharacterized population groups, and pilot trials for adopting rapid DNA profiling technology. These aspects should be considered by policy makers and law enforcement agencies in order to increase the reliability and efficiency of DNA profiling in criminal cases and in kinship analysis in Malaysia.

Effect of sample age and season of collection on the reliability of microsatellite genotyping of faecal DNA

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxine P. Piggott
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Faecal Dna ◽  
Microsatellite Genotyping ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Sample Age ◽  
Dna Profiles

Individual identification of animals from DNA in field-collected faecal samples is becoming an increasingly important tool in wildlife population monitoring. A major issue relevant to the application of this technique is the reliability of the genotypes obtained. I investigated the effect of sample age and season of collection on amplification rates and reliability of microsatellite genotypes amplified from faecal DNA of a marsupial herbivore, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) and a eutherian carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Comparison of DNA profiles from 1 day to 6 months for both species suggests that as the age of the faeces increases there is less good-quality DNA present on the surface of the faeces, resulting in significantly decreasing amplification rates and increasing genotyping error rates over time. No microsatellite PCR products were obtained from samples older than 3 months from any faecal DNA extract in either season. For both species, faeces collected during the summer trial yielded high-quality DNA for up to one week. Faeces collected in winter had significantly lower amplification rates and higher genotyping errors than the summer-collected samples. Computer simulations were used to estimate the probability of obtaining false genotypes when genotyping faecal samples of various ages. These revealed that three replicates is sufficient to prevent identification of false individuals for P. penicillata from faeces up to one week old in both summer and winter but more replicates may be required for older samples, particularly in winter. In contrast, up to eight replicates may be required for fox faeces collected in winter, particularly if more than one week old. These results also suggest that it is difficult to visually identify faecal age for V. vulpes, and any study using fox faeces would need to account for the likely inclusion of older faeces in a field collection. For P. penicillata, faecal age could be accurately assessed, particularly when less than one week old and targeting faeces that match the two most reliable appearance classes described here would be an efficient sampling strategy. It is recommended that the appropriate PCR replication protocol for any given study should be tailored to the error rates expected for the oldest samples likely to be collected. This study is the first to thoroughly investigate the effects of sample age and season of collection on microsatellite genotyping from faecal samples and provides guidelines for sampling and PCR repetition strategies for field-based non-invasive DNA studies.

scholarly journals Population genetics of 30 insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the Kuwaiti population

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 985-986
Author(s):  
Mahdi Haidar ◽  
Hussain Alsaleh ◽  
Penelope R. Haddrill
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Match Probability ◽  
Insertion And Deletion ◽  
Indel Markers ◽  
Typing System ◽  
Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium ◽  
Kuwaiti Population ◽  
Forensic Markers ◽  
Paternity Cases

AbstractThis study evaluates the forensic utility of the 30 insertion and deletion (indel) markers contained in the Qiagen Investigator® DIPplex kit in the Kuwaiti population (n = 150). All but one of the 30 markers were shown to conform to the expectations of the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. Linkage disequilibrium tests showed no statistically significant deviation from independence. The high combined power of discrimination (CPD > 99.999%) and low combined match probability (CMP) of 2.736 × 10−13 provide a satisfactory level of discrimination, allowing the DIPplex loci to be used as forensic markers for individual identification in Kuwait. The paternity indices indicate the usefulness of the DIPplex kit as a supplementary typing system for challenging paternity cases in Kuwait.

Testing the regional genetic representativeness of captive koala populations in South-East Queensland

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Seddon ◽  
Kristen E. Lee ◽  
Stephen D. Johnston ◽  
Vere N. Nicolson ◽  
Michael Pyne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Significant Differentiation ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Neutral Genetic Diversity ◽  
Leibler Divergence

Context Captive breeding for release back to the wild is an important component of ex situ conservation but requires genetic diversity that is representative of the wild population and has the ultimate goal of producing ecologically sustainable and resilient populations. However, defining and testing for representativeness of captive populations is difficult. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are bred for educational and tourism purposes in zoos and wildlife parks in South-East Queensland, but there are drastic declines evident in some wild koala populations in this region. Aim We compared genetic diversity at microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA in two captive koala populations with that of the local, wild koalas of South-East Queensland, determining the degree to which genetic diversity of neutral loci had been preserved and was represented in the captive populations. Key results The expected heterozygosity and the allelic richness was significantly greater in one captive colony than one wild South-East Queensland population. There was low but significant differentiation of the captive from wild populations using FST, with greater differentiation described by Jost’s Dest. In contrast, a newly introduced Kullback–Leibler divergence measure, which assesses similarity of allele frequencies, showed no significant divergence of colony and wild populations. The captive koalas lacked many of the mitochondrial haplotypes identified from South-East Queensland koalas and possessed seven other haplotypes. Conclusions Captive colonies of koalas have maintained levels of overall neutral genetic diversity similar to wild populations at microsatellite loci and low but significant differentiation likely resulted from drift and founder effects in small captive colonies or declining wild populations. Mitochondrial DNA suggests that captive founders were from a wider geographic source or that haplotypes have been lost locally. Implications Overall, tested captive koalas maintain sufficient microsatellite diversity to act as an in situ reservoir for neutral genetic diversity of regional populations.

scholarly journals Technical note: Development of DNA quantitation and STR typing systems for Panthera tigris species determination and individual identification in forensic casework

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118
Author(s):  
Daniel Vaněk ◽  
Edvard Ehler ◽  
Lenka Vaňková
Keyword(s):  
Technical Note ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Illegal Trade ◽  
Str Typing ◽  
Species Determination ◽  
Molecular Systems ◽  
Forensic Casework ◽  
Dna Quantitation ◽  
Dna Profiles

The aim of this technical note is to provide an overview of methodical approaches used to develop molecular systems for species determination/DNA quantification called Ptig Qplex and individual identification called Ptig STRplex of Panthera tigris samples. Both systems will help to combat the illegal trade of endangered species and create a worldwide shared database of DNA profiles.

151 SEASONAL REPRODUCTION IN WILD AND CAPTIVE MALE KOALA POPULATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
C. D. Allen ◽  
D. L. de Villiers ◽  
B. D. Manning ◽  
D. S. Dique ◽  
M. Burridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Change ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Captive Population ◽  
Population Total ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Service Staff

Seasonal changes in male reproductive function were assessed in a wild free-range population (n = 10; obtained every six weeks from January to November 2005), a deceased wild free-range population (n = 84; obtained monthly from September to August 2005) and a captive population (n = 7; obtained monthly from October 2005 to October 2006) of koalas in south-east Queensland. This study also determined the practicality of using free-range wild male koalas as potential semen donors for genome resource banks. Examination of a range of reproductive variables initially revealed no significant seasonal change in the 3 koala populations; however, when the data were adjusted to account for individual koalas, their size and/or their health status, the majority of reproductive parameters showed evidence of seasonal variation that was supported by statistical modeling. Relationships between variables were based on simple polynomials, up to a cubic for some variables. Total testicular volume changed throughout the year in the wild and captive populations with an increase over spring and summer and a decrease in autumn and winter; no such change was detected in the deceased population. Maximum area of the sternal gland stain occurred in spring in both the deceased and captive populations but in winter for the wild free-range population. Total bulbo-urethral gland volume in the deceased population showed an increase over spring, a decrease over summer and autumn and then an increase towards the end of winter. The steroidogenic capacity of the koala testis (testosterone secretion) in both the wild free-range (live) and captive populations showed a peak during spring and a nadir in autumn. The quality of semen samples collected by electroejaculation from the wild (live) and captive koala populations showed evidence of being influenced by season. Initial percentage motility of the wild population decreased marginally throughout the study and initial rate of sperm movement was highest in winter. Motility of spermatozoa after thawing from the wild koala population was also highest in winter as was the percentage of cryopreserved spermatozoa with intact plasma membranes collected from the captive population. This study has shown that male koala reproduction in south-east Queensland is seasonal and that it is possible to repeatedly collect semen from free-range koalas as potential genetic donors. Nevertheless, semen quality from captive and wild caught animals appears to be susceptible to seasonal change and winter appears to be the optimal season in which to collect such samples. We are grateful to the veterinary staff, zookeepers, and volunteers at Dreamworld for their assistance with general animal husbandry. We also sincerely thank the many veterinarians, volunteers, and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff that assisted with this project whose help was invaluable for the accomplishment of this project. This project was funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Grant, the School of Animal Studies (SAS) The University of Queensland, and the Queensland Government’s Koala Enhanced Genetic Exchange Program (KEGEP).

Relationships between morphometric variables and age for captive individuals may not accurately estimate the age of free-ranging juvenile koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail M. Tucker ◽  
I. Delma Clifton ◽  
Stephen C. McKillup
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
The Other ◽  
Head Length ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Exact Date ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Free Ranging

Several studies report methods for determining the age of juvenile Queensland koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus adustus) but these are mostly based on data from captive populations, because observing the birth of koalas in their natural habitat is extremely rare. We identified the exact date of birth for two male joeys by initially observing one within minutes and the other within hours of their birth, at St Bees Island, central Queensland. Successive measurements of head length, as these individuals matured, were used to construct a growth curve for free-ranging juveniles. When tested, only one previously published growth curve (based on body mass) was able to accurately estimate the age of the two joeys. Both methods were then tested for precision using morphometric data for other juvenile koalas in the St Bees population. The estimation of age of juvenile koalas was considerably more precise when based on head length. These results demonstrate the inaccuracy that may be inherent in growth curves derived from captive animals and also show that estimates of age based on data from individuals in a particular population or locality may not be accurate throughout the range of a species.

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