Development of microsatellite markers and a restriction endonuclease digest assay for non-invasive sampling of endangered white-rumped, slender-billed and red-headed vultues

Abstract

Southeast Asian vultures have been greatly reduced in range and population numbers, but it is challenging to use traditional tagging and monitoring techniques to track changes in their populations. Genotypes derived from non-invasively collected feather samples provide an alternative and effective means to 'capture' individual vultures for mark-recapture analyses. We describe a restriction endonuclease digest assay that distinguishes the visually similar feathers of three species of critically endangered Asian vultures Gyps bengalensis, G. tenuirostris, and Sarcogyps calvus. In addition, we describe a panel of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. In combination, the restriction endonuclease assay and microsatellite marker set developed here are powerful molecular tools for investigating the genetic and demographic status of these Asian vultures species.

Citation

Kapetanakos, Y.A.; Lovette, I.J.; Katzner, T.E. 2014. Development of microsatellite markers and a restriction endonuclease digest assay for non-invasive sampling of endangered white-rumped, slender-billed and red-headed vultues. Conservation Genetics Resources. 6(3): 539-542.