Sex identification of parrots, toucans, and curassows by PCR: Perspectives for wild and captive population studies

Miyaki, C.Y., Griffiths, R., Orr, K., Nahum, L.A., Pereira, S.L. and Wajntal, A. (1998) Sex identification of parrots, toucans, and curassows by PCR: Perspectives for wild and captive population studies. Zoo Biology, 17(5), pp. 415-423. (doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:5<415::AID-ZOO6>3.0.CO;2-2)

Abstract

Methods for the identification of the sex of bird species without external sexual dimorphism are specially important in field studies and for captive breeding of endangered taxa. We confirmed the accuracy of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method to identify the sex in three disparate avian orders that included 31 species of parrot, two species of toucan, and eight species of curassow, for which many individuals were previously sexed. In each case, two DNA fragments were amplified in females and one in males with the use of a single set of primers. This method was also tested on unsexed birds of 13 other species of parrot and five species of toucan. The same kind of polymorphism was detected in each. The PCR products of parrots and toucans could be separated in simple agarose gels, while the curassows' products could only be distinguished in acrylamide gels. An advantage of this DNA test is that samples of blood or feathers can be easily collected and stored at room temperature, which is of particular importance for studies of wild birds.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Griffiths, Mrs Kate and Griffiths, Dr Richard
• Authors: Miyaki, C.Y., Griffiths, R., Orr, K., Nahum, L.A., Pereira, S.L., and Wajntal, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Zoo Biology
• ISSN: 0733-3188
• ISSN (Online): 1098-2361
• Published Online: 12 December 1998