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Forensic DNA confirms intraguild killing of a chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) by a feral cat (Felis catus)

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Abstract

Because animals killed by predators are often found partially consumed or decomposed, identification of the predator is often unachievable by post mortem examination. Forensic DNA offers an alternative in such situations. Using a novel method to analyse DNA from bite wounds on a freshly-killed chuditch Dasyurus geoffroii, we describe the first confirmed instance in this species of intraguild killing by a feral cat. Unlike post mortem examination, our method of DNA melt curve analysis is highly accurate and requires less time and expense than DNA sequencing.

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References

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Acknowledgments

A. Glen, O. Berry and D. Sutherland are supported by Postdoctoral Fellowships from the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre. We are grateful to Claire Stevenson of the WA Museum for the loan of a reference skull.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment and Conservation, Dwellingup Research Centre, Banksiadale Rd, Dwellingup, WA, 6213, Australia

    A. S. Glen, D. R. Sutherland, S. Garretson, T. Robinson & P. J. de Tores

  2. Invasive Animals Co-Operative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Room D1, Building 3, Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia

    A. S. Glen, O. Berry, D. R. Sutherland, S. Garretson & T. Robinson

  3. School of Animal Biology (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    O. Berry

Authors
  1. A. S. Glen
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  2. O. Berry
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  3. D. R. Sutherland
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  4. S. Garretson
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  5. T. Robinson
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  6. P. J. de Tores
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. S. Glen.

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Glen, A.S., Berry, O., Sutherland, D.R. et al. Forensic DNA confirms intraguild killing of a chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) by a feral cat (Felis catus). Conserv Genet 11, 1099–1101 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-009-9888-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-009-9888-y

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