Species identification
 |
Skink |
We have available a range of PCR primers to distinguish species using DNA sequence data. For invertebrate samples we focus on the COI ‘bar-coding’ region of mitochondrial DNA and utilize international databases for our comparative analysis. For mammal and avian samples that might contain more than one source of DNA, then we use the cytB region of mitochondrial DNA from which we can identify individual sequences from each species.
Examples include:
- Identification of invertebrate species from samples, such as eggs, larvae and fragments using DNA barcoding methods
- We have been using COI to identify potential biosecurity pests from a range of sample types for MAF since 1998. Our advantage with invertebrate samples is the co-location with the New Zealand Arthropod Collection (NZAC) from which we can source voucher specimens for comparative analysis. We also have access to databases for important Lepidoptera, in particular the Tortricidae and Lymantriidae.
- Predator identification from saliva swabs of wound sites, hair snags and scat samples
- Recent developments from human forensics have enabled us to use DNA from a wider range of sample sources. We have successfully used saliva swabs from eggshell fragments and dead birds to identify potential predators. Hair and scat samples can also be used to identify the presence of a predator, ie. detection in an area thought to be free from predators
- Gut content analysis for identification of food items
- Where other methods may be time-consuming, DNA samples derived from gut contents can identify prey items using PCR and sequence data from mitochondrial DNA gene regions.