A non-invasive technique to determine the effects of plucked feather type (size) on DNA yield in PCR amplification

摘要

Non-invasive approach in genetic sampling was introduced in avian culture as to reduce the stress of handling techniqueudespecially in fragile individuals or endangered species. The conventional conservation method causes many unfavourableudimpacts mostly when gathering DNA sources which affect birds’ behaviour. The ability to correctly determine the sex of birdudis pivotal for conservation purpose in monomorphic bird. However, the problem arises when it comes to collecting the typeudof feather that could meet the requirement of PCR amplification. Each part of the birds feather contribute in functionaludmorphology so, sampling larger feathers could disturb the flight performance. Therefore, there is a need to find which featherudpresent the most reliable source of DNA that is sufficient for PCR amplification. DNA was extracted and quantified in fiveudtypes of plucked feather from two species of monomorphic bird. The same five feather types were used in comparing PCRudsuccess through agarose gel electrophoresis visualization by exploiting the intron length differences of Chromo HelicaseudDNA-binding gene (CHD gene) on the Z and W sex chromosomes. The validity and effectiveness of using thoracic featherudwere tested with the aim to inflict the only potential feather that will be used for future sexing purposes at least reducing theudimpact from feather sampling.