Truly hypervariable DNA fingerprints due to exceptionally high mutation rates.
The power of DNA fingerprinting is due to comparatively high mutation rates of minisatellite and microsatellite DNA sequences. Studying the mating system of a parrot species (Burrowing Parrots, Cyanoliseus patagonus) using oligonucleotide probes, we observed mutation rates that are several orders of magnitude higher than those described anywhere in the literature. Most plausibly, the respective values are based on 3-4 loci with mutation rates of up to 100%.
Lubjuhn
Thomas
T
Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany. t.lubjuhn@uni-bonn.de
Sramkova
Anna
A
Masello
Juan F
JF
Quillfeldt
Petra
P
Epplen
Jörg Thomas
JT
D000818:Animals; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods*; D007700:Kinetics; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D009154:Mutation; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D010311:Parrots / Q000235:genetics*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal