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Crested gibbon ( Hylobates [ Nomascus ]) identification using noninvasively obtained DNA
Author(s) -
Garza John Carlos,
Woodruff David S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.1430130411
Subject(s) - hylobates , biology , subspecies , cytochrome b , zoology , captivity , captive breeding , mitochondrial dna , genotyping , endangered species , taxon , critically endangered , evolutionary biology , genetics , genotype , ecology , gene , habitat
The development of captive breeding programs for the crested gibbons ( Hylobates [ Nomascus ]) of Indochina is hindered by the difficulty of sorting individuals into their correct species and subspecies groups. We describe taxon‐specific DNA sequence variation in a 252‐base pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which can be used to identify individuals of the three taxa of crested gibbon commonly found in Western zoos. These molecular genetic markers can be amplified from plucked hair and will permit the identification of morphologically similar females and crested gibbons of either sex of unknown origin. Noninvasive genotyping of captive animals will facilitate the genetic management of these critically endangered primates. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.