RESTRICTABLE DNA FROM SLOUGHED CETACEAN SKIN; ITS POTENTIAL FOR USE IN POPULATION ANALYSIS

Abstract: Several species of cetaceans naturally slough visible quantities of skin. We have investigated the prospect of using this material as a viable alternative to the use of biopsy darts for the collection of samples for molecular analysis. Pieces of skin were collected from free‐ranging indivi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Mammal Science
Main Authors: Amos, W., Whitehead, H., Ferrari, M. J., Glockner‐Ferrari, D. A., Payne, R., Gordon, J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1992
Subjects:
Aquatic Science
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Eubalaena glacialis
Megaptera novaeangliae
Physeter macrocephalus
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1992.tb00409.x
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1748-7692.1992.tb00409.x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1992.tb00409.x
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Summary:Abstract: Several species of cetaceans naturally slough visible quantities of skin. We have investigated the prospect of using this material as a viable alternative to the use of biopsy darts for the collection of samples for molecular analysis. Pieces of skin were collected from free‐ranging individuals of three different species—the humpback ( Megaptera novaeangliae) , sperm ( Physeter macrocephalus ) and right whales ( Eubalaena glacialis ). DNA was extracted from 11 pieces of sloughed skin and DNA “fingerprint” profiles prepared. All samples contained DNA of both sufficient quality and quantity for genetic analysis. The applicability of this approach is discussed generally in relation to answering problems about the population structure and breeding systems of cetaceans.

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