title: Non-invasive genetic identification of small mammal species using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: DNA identification of non-invasive samples is a potentially useful tool for monitoring small mammal species. Here we describe a novel method for identifying five small mammal species: wood mouse, bank vole, common shrew, pygmy shrew and water shrew. Species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction primers were designed to amplify fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from hair and scat samples. We also amplified nuclear DNA from scats, demonstrating their potential as a source of DNA for population genetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Reilly