Jimena Lois-Milevicich, R. O. Gómez, Cynthia A. Ursino, N. A. Lois, Alicia de la Colina
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引用次数: 2
Abstract
Summary. The absence of sex dimorphism in many bird species complicates sex determination by direct observation, hindering sex-specific studies. Standard protocols for molecular sexing include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of intron regions of the Chromodomain-Helicase DNA-binding protein 1 (CHD1) gene. While several methods have been studied, their usefulness for songbirds (Passeriformes) has not been consistent and has largely depended on target species and on time-consuming primer-set specific optimisation of available protocols. We tested a molecular sexing protocol with two universal primer sets (P2/P8 and 2550F/2718R) in a corvid songbird: the Plush-crested Jay Cyanocorax chrysops. The protocol was rapid and inexpensive as well as highly effective. Using 2550F/2718R, females were revealed by two bands separated for some 200 base pairs (bp) that resolved easily on 0.8% agarose gel. Conversely, P2/P8 female amplicons differed in roughly 30 bp and a more expensive 3% agarose gel was necessary to reveal them. Our results are contextualised with an up-to-date literature survey of molecular sexing in other corvids. The primer set 2550F/2718R is found to be effective, providing a reliable and low-cost method for sexing jays and other corvids. —Lois-Milevicich, J., Gómez, R.O., Ursino, C.A., Lois, N.A. & de la Colina, A. (2021). Rapid and low-cost molecular sexing of a corvid songbird using a single protocol with two universal primer sets. Ardeola, 68: 501-510.
期刊介绍:
Ardeola: International Journal of Ornithology is the scientific journal of SEO/BirdLife, the Spanish Ornithological Society. The journal had a regional focus when it was first published, in 1954. Since then, and particular during the past two decades, the journal has expanded its thematic and geographical scope. It is now a fully international forum for research on all aspects of ornithology. We thus welcome studies within the fields of basic biology, ecology, behaviour, conservation and biogeography, especially those arising from hypothesis-based research. Although we have a long publication history of Mediterranean and Neotropical studies, we accept papers on investigations worldwide.
Each volume of Ardeola has two parts, published annually in January and July. The main body of each issue comprises full-length original articles (Papersand Review articles) and shorter notes on methodology or stimulating findings (Short Communications). The publication language is English, with summaries, figure legends and table captions also in Spanish. Ardeolaalso publishes critical Book Reviewsand PhD-Dissertation Summaries; summarising ornithological theses defended in Spain. Finally there are two Spanish-language sections, Ornithological News; summarising significant recent observations of birds in Spain, and Observations of Rare Birds in Spain, the annual reports of the Spanish Rarities Committee.