Individualization and estimation of relatedness in crocodilians by DNA fingerprinting with a Bkm-derived probe.
Individual-specific DNA fingerprints of crocodilians were obtained by the use of Bkm-2(8) probe. Pedigree analyses of Crocodylus palustris, C. porosus and Caiman crocodilus revealed that the multiple bands (22-23 bands with Aludigest) thus obtained were inherited stably in a Mendelian fashion. Unique fingerprints permitted us to identify individuals, assign parentage, and reconstruct the DNA profile of a missing parent. Average band sharing between unrelated crocodiles was found to be 0.37. Band sharing between animals of known pedigrees increased predictably with relatedness and provided a basis for distinguishing relatives from non-relatives. Similar results obtained in other species/genera, using the same probe, suggest that this approach may be applicable to all species of crocodilians, and could facilitate genetic studies of wild and captive populations.
Lang
J W
JW
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Aggarwal
R K
RK
Majumdar
K C
KC
Singh
L
L
D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D015698:Genomic Library; D006720:Homozygote; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D013045:Species Specificity
D015342:DNA Probes; D004247:DNA