Open AccessPreserving avian blood and DNA sampled in the wild: A survey of personal experiences
Author(s) -
Di Lecce Irene,
Sudyka Joanna,
Westneat David F.,
Szulkin Marta
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.9232
Subject(s) - dna extraction , sampling (signal processing) , dna , biology , computational biology , dried blood , blood collection , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , medicine , genetics , chemistry , polymerase chain reaction , gene , chromatography , emergency medicine , filter (signal processing) , computer vision
Collecting and storing biological material from wild animals in a way that does not deteriorate DNA quality for subsequent analyses is instrumental for research in ecology and evolution. Our aims were to gather reports on the effectiveness of methods commonly used by researchers for the field collection and long‐term storage of blood samples and DNA extracts from wild birds. Personal experiences were collected with an online survey targeted specifically at researchers sampling wild birds. Many researchers experienced problems with blood sample storage but not with DNA extract storage. Storage issues generated problems with obtaining adequate DNA quality and sufficient DNA quantity for the targeted molecular analyses but were not related to season of blood sampling, access to equipment, transporting samples, temperature, and method of blood storage. Final DNA quality and quantity were also not affected by storage time before DNA extraction or the methods used to extract DNA. We discuss practical aspects of field collection and storage and provide some general recommendations, with a list of pros and cons of different preservation methods of avian blood samples and DNA extracts.