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Identification of globally threatened cervids from problematic samples using cytochrome b and control region genes

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Abstract

We describe a protocol for the identification of two endangered cervids from decomposed and degraded samples based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene and control region (D-loop) analysis. The identification of the species was achieved using DNA extracted from 16 unknown carcasses and two references samples of Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) from captivity and contrasted with existing sequences of Eld’s and hog deer (Axis porcinus) from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that of the 16 samples, 14 were of hog deer and two were of Eld’s deer. From the study, we concluded that the method adopted in this study is useful for establishing species-identity from degraded biological samples.

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Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored by the Wildlife Institute of India through the project ‘Conservation ecology of Sangai and its wetland habitat'. We thank Dr. David O’Neill, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland and Department of Forests, Government of Manipur for their support.

Ethical standard

We declare no conflict of interest. We have collected the biological samples from naturally dead animals after obtaining the necessary permission from the ‘Chief Wildlife Warden’, Manipur State. This research article complies with the Ethical Rules of ‘Committee on Publication Ethics’ (COPE).

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Correspondence to Syed Ainul Hussain.

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Angom, S., Gupta, S.K., Kumar, A. et al. Identification of globally threatened cervids from problematic samples using cytochrome b and control region genes. Conservation Genet Resour 7, 647–650 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-015-0469-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-015-0469-8

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