Individual identification and parentage analysis of Struthio camelus (ostrich) using microsatellite markers.
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Date
2005
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Abstract
Ostrich (Struthio camelus) breeding is a well-developed industry in South Africa.
However, successful genetic management has yet to be implemented. Parentage
in colony breeding ostriches is unknown, where for a given offspring, a number of
possible parents exist. Molecular markers have been extensively used in the
livestock industry to resolve parentage issues and are only beginning to be utilized
to address the issues of the ostrich industry. The aims of this investigation were to
test known microsatellite markers developed for other ostrich subspecies in a
South African Black ostrich population, and to further test these markers for their
use in individual and parentage identification. DNA was extracted from venous
blood obtained from two pair bred families and a colony of 97 individuals. Eleven
polymorphic microsatellite markers were tested by PCR amplification of DNA
samples followed by multiplexing on polyacrylamide gels to generate DNA
fingerprints for each individual. Alleles were sized and quantified and used to
create genotypes for each individual. Parentage analysis was performed using
exclusion and likelihood methods. Pedigrees were constructed for the families by
comparison of genotypes. Breeding statistics were calculated for the colony
individuals. Three microsatellite markers did not amplify in this population and one
marker was found to be monomorphic in this population. Four of the microsatellite
markers that successfully amplified produced anonymous amplification products
suggesting a second annealing site in the genome sequence of Blacks. All loci
displayed low observed heterozygosities indicative of little genetic variation in this
population. For the colony sample, four individuals were not assigned either parent
and one female did not contribute any offspring. On average females produced
4.86 ± 2.71 fertile eggs during the sampling period with a coefficient of variation of
55.86%. A total of 79.2% of individuals were assigned paternity and 88.3% were
assigned maternity. A greater number of loci are required to improve the power of
parentage analysis within breeding flocks incorporating all eggs laid.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.
Keywords
Ostriches--South Africa., Ostriches--Genetics., Microsatellites (Genetics), Animal parents., DNA fingerprinting of animals., Ostrich products industry--South Africa., Animal breeding--South Africa., Genetic markers., Ostrich farming--South Africa., Theses--Genetics.