Biological and environmental degradation of gorilla hair and microsatellite amplification success

摘要: Naturally shed hairs are an important source of genetic material for both conservation and forensics but notoriously poor sources DNA. DNA degradation in hair roots is caused by apoptosis as part the cycle growth autolysis decomposing animals. Shed additionally exposed to degenerative environmental processes. However, studies rarely examine root morphologies or refer phases prior analysis, detailed knowledge rapidity amongst lacking. We examined effects biological processes on western lowland gorilla (Gorilla Savage Wyman) with respect morphological characteristics polymerase chain reaction (PCR) success at eight nuclear loci. Root type frequencies indicate that body may exhibit a longer telogen phase than human head hairs. All plucked types amplified more efficiently hairs, only 41% had considered suitable genotyping. Telogen from fresh nests were four-fold useful genotyping if associated translucent epithelial tissue, preselection these doubled overall data-yield 58%. Nest age correlated morphology PCR success, was almost halved after 3 days exposure. Finally, association between postmortem interval, morphology, observed consistent changes reported