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Sex identification in the Collared Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) with novel markers generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA

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Abstract

The Collared Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) is not sexually dimorphic, which makes it difficult to discriminate between sexes. Hence, it is difficult to establish a breeding and conservation program. This study report, the identification of a novel random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker for sexing the species O. bakkamoena. A novel 1,307-bp sex-specific fragment, AN15, in females was initially generated by RAPD fingerprinting using the primer OPAN15. We then designed the nested primer set, CsoAN15-6F/R, and amplified a sex-specific fragment of 349 bp in females, as well as a 796-bp fragment shared by both sexes. The latter fragment can serve as an internal control for monitoring both the PCR reaction and preventing false sex assignment. Our current study accurately identified the sex of each individual (including 8 males and 8 females) using this primer set. This novel primer set, thus, provides a sex-specific DNA marker for accurate sex identification in this species.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Taipei Zoo and Endemic Species Research Institute for providing blood samples of the birds. We also thank Harry Mersmann for comments and English editing on the manuscript. Financial support for this study was partially provided by Taipei Zoo (Grant No. 96-AR-6).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 10673, Taiwan

    P. H. Wang, H. A. Hsu, C. C. Chen & S. T. Ding

  2. Taipei Zoo, No. 30, Sec. 2, Xinguang Rd., Taipei, 11656, Taiwan

    M. C. Chao & H. S. Tsao

  3. Endemic Species Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, No. 1, Ming-shen East Road, Chichi Township, Nantou County, 552, Taiwan

    F. T. Chan, L. M. Wang & P. I. Lin

  4. School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan

    H. W. Yuan

Authors
  1. P. H. Wang
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  2. H. A. Hsu
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  3. M. C. Chao
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  4. F. T. Chan
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  5. L. M. Wang
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  6. P. I. Lin
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  7. H. S. Tsao
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  8. H. W. Yuan
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  9. C. C. Chen
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  10. S. T. Ding
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to C. C. Chen or S. T. Ding.

Additional information

P. H. Wang and H. A. Hsu contributed equally to this paper.

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Wang, P.H., Hsu, H.A., Chao, M.C. et al. Sex identification in the Collared Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) with novel markers generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA. Conservation Genet Resour 5, 239–242 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-012-9778-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-012-9778-3

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