College
College of Arts and Sciences
Mentor Information
Dr. Michelle Green
Description
The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endangered species of wild cattle endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. As anoa populations are expected to decline in future years, genetic analysis is important to monitor numbers and guide both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. Because anoa avoid human interaction, noninvasive sampling methods of DNA collection are being tested. These methods minimize stress to the animal and allow scientists to measure genetic diversity within anoa populations and relatedness between individuals.
This study uses PCR amplification of a microsatellite to determine whether noninvasive DNA is suitable for population level analysis. The study uses DNA derived from saliva and fecal samples collected from two anoas at ZooTampa. The MM12 primer was chosen due to its past success in amplifying bovine microsatellite DNA from hair and tissue samples. MM12 is being tested using a series of PCR experiments to evaluate its ability to amplify DNA. Tested variables include the concentration of DNA, the annealing temperature, and the type of sample (fecal vs saliva) to determine which set of parameters yields the most product. The expected results are DNA fragments approximately 83-109 bp in length. Successful amplification will allow scientists to determine whether DNA samples derived from saliva and feces are of high enough quality for use in anoa conservation genetics.
Testing Downstream Analysis of Noninvasive Anoa DNA Samples using the MM12 Primer
The lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) is an endangered species of wild cattle endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. As anoa populations are expected to decline in future years, genetic analysis is important to monitor numbers and guide both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts. Because anoa avoid human interaction, noninvasive sampling methods of DNA collection are being tested. These methods minimize stress to the animal and allow scientists to measure genetic diversity within anoa populations and relatedness between individuals.
This study uses PCR amplification of a microsatellite to determine whether noninvasive DNA is suitable for population level analysis. The study uses DNA derived from saliva and fecal samples collected from two anoas at ZooTampa. The MM12 primer was chosen due to its past success in amplifying bovine microsatellite DNA from hair and tissue samples. MM12 is being tested using a series of PCR experiments to evaluate its ability to amplify DNA. Tested variables include the concentration of DNA, the annealing temperature, and the type of sample (fecal vs saliva) to determine which set of parameters yields the most product. The expected results are DNA fragments approximately 83-109 bp in length. Successful amplification will allow scientists to determine whether DNA samples derived from saliva and feces are of high enough quality for use in anoa conservation genetics.
