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Sex identification of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) non-invasive DNA samples using ZFX/ZFY sequences

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Abstract

We developed a new PCR/RFLP system targeted to amplify and cut a segment of the ZFX/ZFY gene in non-invasive otter (Lutra lutra) samples. This assay produced one sex-specific fragment in females (XX genotypes) and two fragments in males (XY genotypes), and is intrinsically more reliable than alternative systems (e.g., SRY genes) that are based on the amplification of a single Y-linked fragment. The new primer pair correctly identified the sex of 23 DNA extracted from sexed otter tissues. This procedure was used to sex unknown DNA extracted from otter scats. A multi-tube approach led to identify the sex of 72/91 (79%) samples, using a minimum of two PCR replicates. This procedure is currently used in non-invasive genetic monitoring of Italian otter populations.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Italian Ministero dell’Ambiente e Tutela del Territorio, Direzione Conservazione della Natura. We thank Prof. C. Prigioni and his students for sending us non-invasive otter samples collected in southern Italy.

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  1. Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, Via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064, Ozzano dell´Emilia (BO), Italy

    Nadia Mucci & Ettore Randi

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  1. Nadia Mucci
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  2. Ettore Randi
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Correspondence to Ettore Randi.

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Mucci, N., Randi, E. Sex identification of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) non-invasive DNA samples using ZFX/ZFY sequences. Conserv Genet 8, 1479–1482 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-007-9303-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-007-9303-5

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