Does the intermediate time between defecation and collection of fecal samples affect the result of DNA recovery?
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Michelle Green
Description
The Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endemic species to Sulawesi, Indonesia. There are fewer than 2,500 wild Lowland Anoas and that number continues to fall. A major reason for their endangerment is that they are being hunted for their meat and horns for social status. The locals of Sulawesi, Indonesia do their best to educate and maintain the population of the Lowland Anoa, however that may not be enough. Conservation work is underway but strong conservation plans require information on the genetic diversity of the remaining populations. Traditional genetic samples include blood or tissue, but these samples are especially difficult to obtain from endangered organisms. Fecal samples provide a noninvasive way to obtain comparable genetic data without requiring handling or even sighting of the animal in their habitat. It provides the least amount of disturbance to a species that is both rare in number and difficult to find in the wild. However, there are challenges associated with fecal DNA and there are many factors that can negatively affect the quality and quantity of DNA recovered from feces. One factor that could impact DNA recovery is the amount of time between defecation and sample collection. To test this, fecal samples from captive anoa at ZooTampa were collected at variable time intervals. The DNA was isolated and compared. The results of the work provide important information to conservationists that could utilize fecal sampling among wild anoas and thus aid in the conservation of the Lowland Anoa.
Does the intermediate time between defecation and collection of fecal samples affect the result of DNA recovery?
The Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endemic species to Sulawesi, Indonesia. There are fewer than 2,500 wild Lowland Anoas and that number continues to fall. A major reason for their endangerment is that they are being hunted for their meat and horns for social status. The locals of Sulawesi, Indonesia do their best to educate and maintain the population of the Lowland Anoa, however that may not be enough. Conservation work is underway but strong conservation plans require information on the genetic diversity of the remaining populations. Traditional genetic samples include blood or tissue, but these samples are especially difficult to obtain from endangered organisms. Fecal samples provide a noninvasive way to obtain comparable genetic data without requiring handling or even sighting of the animal in their habitat. It provides the least amount of disturbance to a species that is both rare in number and difficult to find in the wild. However, there are challenges associated with fecal DNA and there are many factors that can negatively affect the quality and quantity of DNA recovered from feces. One factor that could impact DNA recovery is the amount of time between defecation and sample collection. To test this, fecal samples from captive anoa at ZooTampa were collected at variable time intervals. The DNA was isolated and compared. The results of the work provide important information to conservationists that could utilize fecal sampling among wild anoas and thus aid in the conservation of the Lowland Anoa.
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