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A Comparison of Field and Molecular Techniques for Sexing Beavers
Author(s) -
CRAWFORD JOANNE C.,
LIU ZHIWEI,
NELSON THOMAS A.,
NIELSEN CLAYTON K.,
BLOOMQUIST CRAIG K.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.2193/2007-375
Subject(s) - sexing , testis determining factor , biology , identification (biology) , evolutionary biology , y chromosome , genetics , gene , ecology
Abstract: The traditional method of sex identification in beavers ( Castor canadensis ) by external palpation can be inaccurate. We tested 2 genetic methods for determining sex in beavers, the zinc‐finger DNA marker and the Y chromosome‐specific sex determining region (SRY) marker. The SRY marker identified sex correctly in 57 of 67 (85%) beavers, whereas the zinc‐finger technique was successful less often in only 48 of 67 (72%) animals. Sex was correctly assigned by palpation for 21 of 27 beavers (78%). Beaver studies in which accurate sex identification is critical may benefit by verifying the sex of individuals using one or both of these molecular markers.