title: A novel multiplex PCR assay for the identification of Indian crocodiles.
abstract: Illegal hunting has been a major threat for the survival of wildlife fauna, including the three crocodile species that India harbours: Crocodylus palustris, Crocodylus porosus and Gavialis gangeticus. Although law prevents trade on these species, illicit hunting for trade continues to threaten the survival of these endangered species; conservation strategies therefore require a rapid molecular identification technique for Indian crocodiles. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with species-specific primers, considered as one of the most effective molecular techniques, is described herein. The primers were designed to yield species-specific sized amplicons. The assay discriminates the three Indian crocodile species unambiguously within a short time period using only simple agarose gel electrophoresis. We recommend this multiplex PCR assay to be used in the identification of Indian crocodile species.
authors.affiliation: National DNA Analysis Centre, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, 30-Gorachand Road, Kolkata 700 014, West Bengal, India Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology, Mamallapuram 603 104, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Meganathan
authors.forename: Bhawna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.forename: Kota Naga
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Jogayya
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Ikramul
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Haque