Short amplicon microsatellite markers for low quality elephant DNA

Yasuko Ishida, Yirmed Demeke, Peter J. van Coeverden de Groot, Nicholas J. Georgiadis, Keith E.A. Leggett, Virginia E. Fox, Alfred L. Roca

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Many elephant genetic studies have relied on non-invasively collected samples. To improve the success rate for microsatellite genotyping of degraded DNA, we redesigned primers to generate shorter PCR amplicon sizes. Twelve novel primer pairs successfully amplified DNA extracted from dung of African forest and savanna elephants. The novel microsatellite primers were significantly more effective at amplifying dung DNA than the original primers, especially in cases where the original amplicon size was more than 200 bp. The improvement was especially evident when the DNA was of poor quality. Most of the novel primers generated allele sizes that were reduced by a consistent length relative to allele sizes amplified by the original primers. These novel microsatellite primers may improve genotyping success for degraded DNA from dung, museum specimens or ivory, contributing to African elephant conservation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)491-494
Number of pages4
JournalConservation Genetics Resources
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Conservation
  • Fecal samples
  • Forest elephants
  • Ivory
  • Savanna elephants
  • Taxonomy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Genetics

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