Technical challenges in the microsatellite genotyping of a wild chimpanzee population using feces

摘要: Noninvasive collection of samples from wild mammal populations presents an extraordinary opportunity to conduct genetic analysis without necessarily capturing or even directly observing the subjects interest. Unfortunately, hair feces typically collected present formidable challenges in laboratory. The investment time and expense required makes careful experimental design a necessity. Researchers who want examine genetics have great interest use noninvasively sample materials. Questions that can potentially be answered range population-level inquiries into such topics as population size, sex composition, individual relationship, dispersal, comparisons between providing information on geographic differentiation, comparative levels diversity, phylogenetic relationships.1 Effective investigation these matters relies ability variation nuclear genome well maternally transmitted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). A typical approach examining structure involves assessment at multiple microsatellite loci. Alleles loci vary length simple repeat elements, hence allowing for potential assemblage, when enough are examined, individually distinctive genotypes.2 I will therefore focus here analyses. Numerous studies employed noninvasive form shed hair.3–8 But, Taberlet et al.9 recently noted, date there been relatively few “comprehensive” using samples. This is surprising view existence large body literature topic, subjective impression many field researchers equipped with materials plan least hope arranging later analysis. indication thus that, years after it was heralded representing revolution primates,10 sampling either has not yet reached its proved disappointing. Ironically, simplicity low costs polymerase chain reaction (PCR) led ubiquitous molecular laboratories may underestimation by laboratory alike difficulties inherent Such analyses fact considerable technical only overcome investing deal time, expense, expertise. Most considerations involved production accurate genotypes thoroughly addressed elsewhere.9,11 In this contribution, some preliminary results study habituated communities chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) Tai National Forest, Ivory Coast. necessary investment, particularly terms generating reliable number individuals described.