Journal article
Thar she blows! A novel method for DNA collection from cetacean blow
PLoS One, Vol.5(8), e12299
2010
Abstract
Background: Molecular tools are now widely used to address crucial management and conservation questions. To date, dart biopsying has been the most commonly used method for collecting genetic data from cetaceans; however, this method has some drawbacks. Dart biopsying is considered inappropriate for young animals and has recently come under scrutiny from ethical boards, conservationists, and the general public. Thus, identifying alternative genetic collection techniques for cetaceans remains a priority, especially for internationally protected species. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we investigated whether blow-sampling, which involves collecting exhalations from the blowholes of cetaceans, could be developed as a new less invasive method for DNA collection. Our current methodology was developed using six bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, housed at the National Aquarium, Baltimore (USA), from which we were able to collect both blow and blood samples. For all six individuals, we found that their mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA profile taken from blow, matched their corresponding mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA profile collected from blood. This indicates that blow-sampling is a viable alternative method for DNA collection. Conclusion/Significance: In this study, we show that blow-sampling provides a viable and less invasive method for collection of genetic data, even for small cetaceans. In contrast to dart biopsying, the advantage of this method is that it capitalizes on the natural breathing behaviour of dolphins and can be applied to even very young dolphins. Both biopsy and blow-sampling require close proximity of the boat, but blow-sampling can be achieved when dolphins voluntarily bowride and involves no harmful contact.
Details
- Title
- Thar she blows! A novel method for DNA collection from cetacean blow
- Authors
- Celine H Frere (Author) - University of QueenslandE Krzyszczyk (Author) - Georgetown University, United KingdomE M Patterson (Author) - Georgetown University, United KingdomSue Hunter (Author) - National Aquarium, United StatesA Ginsburg (Author) - National Aquarium, United StatesJ Mann (Author) - Georgetown University, United Kingdom
- Publication details
- PLoS One, Vol.5(8), e12299; 5
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2010
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0012299
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2010 Frere et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450194902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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