A simple and improved PCR-based technique for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) sex identification
Lindsay AR and Belant JL. 2008. A simple and improved PCR-based technique for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) sex identification. Conservation Genetics. 9(2):443-447
We describe a simple single-reaction technique for identifying the sex of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) based on the PCR amplification of a zinc-finger intron using one pair of primers. Although Sry-coamplification confirmed sex identities, use of the Sry marker was unnecessary due to dimorphic alleles on the X and Y chromosomes at the zinc-finger locus. Insertions in intron 7 of the Y-linked allele (417 bp) make it nearly twice as long as the X-linked allele (236 bp) and thus the amplification products are easily discernible by simple agarose gel electrophoresis. The relatively short size of these products makes them useful for DNA-based sex identification from potentially low-yield tissue samples (e.g., hair, feces). This technique will provide ecologists, conservation geneticists and wildlife managers with a mechanism to readily and reliably identify the sex of unknown white-tailed deer tissue samples, and likely similar samples from other cervid species.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Lindsay, Alec; Belant, Jerrold
- Units
- GLKN
- Keywords
- Cervidae, GLKN External Publication, sex-linkage, Sry, Wildlife management, ZFX/ZFY
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities