Open AccessMolecular sexing in the formation of pairs of blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) in reintroduction programs
Author(s) -
D. C. nha Pereira,
Bernardo Mirabal,
Adriele Maria Machado de França,
Edma Santos de Antonio,
Ricardo Evangelista Fraga
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
research, society and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2525-3409
DOI - 10.33448/rsd-v10i10.19330
Subject(s) - sexing , biology , macaw , genetics , captive breeding , population , sexual dimorphism , zoology , endangered species , ecology , demography , sociology , habitat
Blue and yellow macaw is a species which does not show sexual dimorphism and is threatened by animal traffic. The identification of heterosexual pairs is important for reintroduction programs. The aim of this work was select parameters for sexing and use them to determine the frequency of heterosexual pairs in a population of blue-and-yellow macaws allocated in a Wild Animal Screening Center. Blood samples from 23 macaws were collected and genomic DNA extracted by Tris/SDS washes. Allele-specific molecular markers for sexing were amplified by PCR, and identified on 2% agarose gel. Three pairs of primers were tested: Pair 1 (P2/P8), Pair 2 (1237L/1272H) and Pair 3 (2550F/2718R). For the determination of animal pairs, all individuals had their social behavioral acts observed. The results showed that the low complexity DNA extraction protocol used was adequate. Pairs 2 and 3 of primers were effective for sexing and the Pair 3 was the most efficient. The study also showed that in the sample studied, the composition of males and females was similar (0.4 males n=10 and 0.6 females n=13); 70% (n=16) of the individuals formed pairs and 75% (n=12) of the pairs were heterosexual and the others male-male or female-female pairs. These results were used in the management of the animals in the reintroduction program.