Premium
A DNA test to sex ratite birds
Author(s) -
Huynen Leon,
Millar Craig D.,
Lambert David M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2002.01483.x
Subject(s) - biology , locus (genetics) , genetics , polymerase chain reaction , gene , caenorhabditis elegans , homology (biology) , dna , dna sequencing
DNA‐based sex tests now exist for many avian species. However, none of these tests are widely applicable to ratites. We present DNA sequence data for a locus that is W chromosome‐linked in the kiwi, ostrich, cassowary, rhea, and emu. At the amino acid level, this sequence has significant homology to X‐linked genes in platyfish and Caenorhabditis elegans . Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers designed to this locus allow the assignment of sex in all species of living ratites.