BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
18 March 2024 PCR-Based Amplification of a Cox1 Mini-DNA Barcode Gene from Feces: A Non-Invasive Molecular Technique to Identify Environmental DNA Samples of Maritime Shrew (Sorex maritimensis)
Golnar Jalilvand, Donald T. Stewart
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Sorex maritimensis (Maritime Shrew) is endemic to Canada and found only in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Maritime Shrew has been identified as one of the vertebrate species in Nova Scotia that is most susceptible to the effects of climate change and global warming, and it is listed by NatureServe as vulnerable (category G3). While generally regarded as a wetland specialist, relatively little is known about its specific habitat preferences. Non-invasive methods of sampling have proven valuable in identifying and monitoring such rare species. The objective of this study was to optimize a non-invasive method to document presence of Maritime Shrews using collected fecal DNA and to develop a PCR-based protocol to amplify a short, ∼120 base-pair section of the cox1 gene using shrew-specific primers. We used baited feeding tubes to collect shrew feces. We designed cox1 PCR primers to preferentially amplify this mini-DNA barcode for shrews in samples that may contain feces from rodents as well. We designed the primers to amplify a small amplicon to increase the likelihood of successful amplification from degraded DNA. This technique is likely to be effective for documenting the distribution and habitat preferences of this relatively rare shrew in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Golnar Jalilvand and Donald T. Stewart "PCR-Based Amplification of a Cox1 Mini-DNA Barcode Gene from Feces: A Non-Invasive Molecular Technique to Identify Environmental DNA Samples of Maritime Shrew (Sorex maritimensis)," Northeastern Naturalist 31(1), 64-71, (18 March 2024). https://doi.org/10.1656/045.031.0106
Published: 18 March 2024
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top