Bringing back the dead: Genetic data from avian carcasses. (8th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koczur, Lianne M.; Williford, Damon; DeYoung, Randy W.; Ballard, Bart M.
• Is Part Of: Wildlife Society bulletin. Volume 41:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 796
• Page End: 803
• Publication Date: 2017-11-08
• Subjects: avian carcass -- genetic analysis -- mitochondrial DNA -- molecular sexing; Wildlife management -- Periodicals; Wildlife conservation -- Periodicals; 333.9540973
• DOI: 10.1002/wsb.823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-7648

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Advances in laboratory methods and DNA sequencing technology have enabled genetic analyses of noninvasive samples, museum specimens, fossil material, and more recently, carcasses. We extracted DNA from decayed avian carcasses that were salvaged from a marine environment in southern Texas, USA, during 2010–2014, at 2 weeks to 3 months postmortem. Extracts of DNA from toepad, bone, and feather yielded usable DNA for molecular sexing and amplification of a 223–base pair portion of the mtDNA control region. Most samples displayed signs of degradation, including small fragment sizes and heteroplasmy in mtDNA sequences consistent with deamination during the decay process. The ability to extract usable DNA from avian carcasses salvaged in a marine environment has implications for the ecology and management of waterbirds, many of which are rare, sexually monomorphic, and poorly understood. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. Abstract : The use of carcasses for DNA samples can be beneficial, particularly when the species is rare, elusive or difficult to monitor. We successfully extracted DNA from decayed avian carcasses, determined sex of individuals and amplified a 223–base pair portion of the mtDNA control region; however, most samples displayed signs of degradation.