TY - JOUR
T1 - Using DNA to distinguish between faeces of Dugong dugon and Chelonia mydas
T2 - Non‑invasive sampling for IUCN‑listed marine megafauna
AU - Tol, Samantha
AU - Harrison, M.
AU - Groom, Rachel
AU - Gilbert, Jennie
AU - Blair, David P.
AU - Coles, Rob
AU - Congdon, Brad
PY - 2021/6
Y1 - 2021/6
N2 - The Dugong dugon (dugong) and Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle) are economically and culturally significant marine mega-herbivores whose populations are declining globally. Capture of these animals for study is challenging and stressful for the animals. Ecological questions can be answered using faeces, which can be collected floating on the water’s surface. However, green turtle and dugong faeces are visually indistinguishable. Specific PCR primer pairs were developed based on the mitochondrial control region of each species. We were able to determine species of origin using DNA extracted, amplified and sequenced from faeces. This provides a valuable tool for non-invasive taxonomic identification to assist the conservation of these vulnerable and endangered species.
AB - The Dugong dugon (dugong) and Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle) are economically and culturally significant marine mega-herbivores whose populations are declining globally. Capture of these animals for study is challenging and stressful for the animals. Ecological questions can be answered using faeces, which can be collected floating on the water’s surface. However, green turtle and dugong faeces are visually indistinguishable. Specific PCR primer pairs were developed based on the mitochondrial control region of each species. We were able to determine species of origin using DNA extracted, amplified and sequenced from faeces. This provides a valuable tool for non-invasive taxonomic identification to assist the conservation of these vulnerable and endangered species.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85098798654&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12686-020-01187-z
DO - 10.1007/s12686-020-01187-z
M3 - Article
VL - 13
SP - 115
EP - 117
JO - Conservation Genetics Resources
JF - Conservation Genetics Resources
SN - 1877-7252
ER -