Relatedness estimation of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximas) by DNA fingerprinting
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1994 |
Authors: |
Laura L. Bischof, Deborah A. Duffield |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
genetics, paternity testing |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130110.abs DNA from eighteen Asian elephants of known relatedness from three North American zoos was fingerprinted with the hypervariable probe M13. Paternity of a calf of known pedigree was verified. Paternity assignment of a calf having two proposed sires was suggested, but could not be conclusively determined due to a unique fragment in the calf and the unavailability of one potential sire for testing. It was concluded that DNA fingerprinting with M13 could provide a reasonable first estimator of relatedness for first degree relatives (mean S = 0.63±.11) and for unrelated animals (mean S = 0.26±.11), but would be unreliable for the discrimination of intermediate degrees of relatedness. DNA fingerprinting can be efficiently used for paternity determination only when all potential sires can be tested. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.