Amplification of DNA markers from scat samples of the least weasel Mustela nivalis nivalis

• Autorzy: Wang R. , Painter J.N. , Hanski I.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

To test the feasibility of using field-collected scats as a source of DNA in the study of the least weasel Mustela nivalis nivalis Linnaeus, 1766, DNA was extracted from scat samples collected from captive weasels using a modified extraction protocol. Using universal primers, the control region of the mitochondrial genome was successfully amplified from scat-extracted DNA. This amplification resulted in two products; one equivalent in size and sequence to the product obtained from tissue-extracted weasel DNA, and the other slightly larger and equivalent in size and sequence to the domestic house mouse Mus musculus, the food source of the captive weasels. This demonstrates the reliability of DNA extraction from scats, as well as the possibility, under favourable circumstances, of identifying the prey species from the same samples. In addition, we attempted to amplify microsatellite loci from both tissue and scat-extracted DNA using six primer pairs designed for other mustelids, the American mink Mustela vison and the wolverine Gulo gulo. While three loci, Mvi57 (American mink), Ggu216 and Ggu234 (wolverine), were found to be polymorphic in the least weasel, amplification of these loci from the scat extracted DNA was only successful for approximately half of the samples. Although further work is needed, the present results suggest that it is possible to use scats as a source of DNA in field studies of the least weasel.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

feces; mustelid; control region; microsatellite; DNA marker; Mustela nivalis nivalis; weasel; least weasel

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 2002
• Tom: 47
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.425-431,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Wang R.

• University of Helsinki, Helsinki, P O Box 17 [Arkandiankatu 17], FIN-00014 Finland

autor

Painter J.N.

autor

Hanski I.

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