A New Method for Noninvasive Genetic Sampling of Saliva in Ecological Research

摘要: Noninvasive samples for genetic analyses have become essential to address ecological questions. Popular noninvasive such as faeces contain degraded DNA which may compromise genotyping success. Saliva is an excellent alternative source but scarcity of suitable collection methods makes its use anecdotal in field studies. We develop a method that combines baits and porous materials able capture saliva. report potential optimal conditions, using confined dogs collecting saliva early after deposition. concentration extracts was generally high (mean 14 ng μl-1). correctly identified individuals 78% conservatively ten microsatellite loci, 90% only eight loci. Consensus genotypes closely matched reference obtained from hair (99% identification successes 91% failures). Mean effort needed loci 2.2 replicates. Genotyping errors occurred at very low frequency (allelic dropout: 2.3%; false alleles: 1.5%). Individual success increased with duration substrate handling inside dog’s mouth the volume collected. Low associated rich DNA-oxidant polyphenols concentrations <1 μl-1. The procedure performed least well other methods, could advantageously allow detection socially low-ranked underrepresented sources are involved marking behaviour (faeces or urine). Once adapted refined, there promise this technique potentially rates individual studies requiring sampling wild vertebrates.