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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Successful carnivore identification with faecal DNA across a fragmented Amazonian landscape

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Author(s):
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Michalski, Fernanda [1, 2] ; Valdez, Fernanda Pedone [3] ; Norris, Darren [4] ; Zieminski, Chris [5] ; Kashivakura, Cyntia Kayo [6] ; Trinca, Cristine S. [3] ; Smith, Heath B. [5] ; Vynne, Carly [5] ; Wasser, Samuel K. [5] ; Metzger, Jean Paul [1] ; Eizirik, Eduardo [3]
Total Authors: 11
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Biosci Inst, Dept Ecol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Inst Procarnivoros, BR-12940970 Atibaia, SP - Brazil
[3] Pontificia Univ Catolica Rio Grande do Sul, Fac Biociencias, Lab Biol Genom & Mol, BR-90619900 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Biol Conservacao, Dept Ecol, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
[5] Univ Washington, Ctr Conservat Biol, Dept Biol, Seattle, WA 98195 - USA
[6] Univ Calgary, Dept Ecosyst & Publ Hlth, Fac Vet Med, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1 - Canada
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES; v. 11, n. 5, p. 862-871, SEP 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 25
Abstract

The use of scat surveys to obtain DNA has been well documented in temperate areas, where DNA preservation may be more effective than in tropical forests. Samples obtained in the tropics are often exposed to high humidity, warm temperatures, frequent rain and intense sunlight, all of which can rapidly degrade DNA. Despite these potential problems, we demonstrate successful mtDNA amplification and sequencing for faeces of carnivores collected in tropical conditions and quantify how sample condition and environmental variables influence the success of PCR amplification and species identification. Additionally, the feasibility of genotyping nuclear microsatellites from jaguar (Panthera onca) faeces was investigated. From October 2007 to December 2008, 93 faecal samples were collected in the southern Brazilian Amazon. A total of eight carnivore species was successfully identified from 71% of all samples obtained. Information theoretic analysis revealed that the number of PCR attempts before a successful sequence was an important negative predictor across all three responses (success of species identification, success of species identification from the first sequence and PCR amplification success), whereas the relative importance of the other three predictors (sample condition, season and distance from forest edge) varied between the three responses. Nuclear microsatellite amplification from jaguar faeces had lower success rates (15-44%) compared with those of the mtDNA marker. Our results show that DNA obtained from faecal samples works efficiently for carnivore species identification in the Amazon forest and also shows potential for nuclear DNA analysis, thus providing a valuable tool for genetic, ecological and conservation studies. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 07/01252-2 - Ecological responses of medium and large mammals to changes in landscape structure in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Grantee:Fernanda Michalski
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral