Forensic application of DNA barcoding for identification of illegally traded African pangolin scales

Mwale, Monica; Dalton, Desiré L.; Jansen, Raymond; Bruyn, Marli De; Pietersen, Darren William; Mokgokong, Prudent S.; Kotzé, Antoinette

doi:10.1139/gen-2016-0144

Cited by 49 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Traditional genetic tools are increasingly being applied to forensic casework involving material inherently lacking in viable genetic material, for example, microsatellite markers to locate the likely origin of seized elephant ivory (e.g., Wasser et al, 2015), and similar tools are now in routine use to enable the development of a database to allow the matching of carcasses and seized, poached African rhinoceros horn (Harper, Vermeulen, Clarke, De Wet, & Guthrie, 2013). DNA barcoding is being increasingly used in the identification of traded products to species, such as pangolin scales (Mwale et al, 2017), as well as estimating the number of whales traded in meat markets (Baker et al, 2007).…”

Section: Ack N Owled G Em Entsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Carroll

Bruford

DeWoody

et al. 2018

Evolutionary Applications

151

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The decreasing cost and increasing scope and power of emerging genomic technologies are reshaping the field of molecular ecology. However, many modern genomic approaches (e.g., RAD‐seq) require large amounts of high‐quality template DNA. This poses a problem for an active branch of conservation biology: genetic monitoring using minimally invasive sampling (MIS) methods. Without handling or even observing an animal, MIS methods (e.g., collection of hair, skin, faeces) can provide genetic information on individuals or populations. Such samples typically yield low‐quality and/or quantities of DNA, restricting the type of molecular methods that can be used. Despite this limitation, genetic monitoring using MIS is an effective tool for estimating population demographic parameters and monitoring genetic diversity in natural populations. Genetic monitoring is likely to become more important in the future as many natural populations are undergoing anthropogenically driven declines, which are unlikely to abate without intensive adaptive management efforts that often include MIS approaches. Here, we profile the expanding suite of genomic methods and platforms compatible with producing genotypes from MIS, considering factors such as development costs and error rates. We evaluate how powerful new approaches will enhance our ability to investigate questions typically answered using genetic monitoring, such as estimating abundance, genetic structure and relatedness. As the field is in a period of unusually rapid transition, we also highlight the importance of legacy data sets and recommend how to address the challenges of moving between traditional and next‐generation genetic monitoring platforms. Finally, we consider how genetic monitoring could move beyond genotypes in the future. For example, assessing microbiomes or epigenetic markers could provide a greater understanding of the relationship between individuals and their environment.

show abstract

Section: Ack N Owled G Em Entsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Carroll

Bruford

DeWoody

et al. 2018

Evolutionary Applications

151

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Genetic studies of endangered species have become increasingly widespread in the last two years (Choo et al, 2016; Mwale et al, 2017; Yusoff et al, 2016; Zhihai et al, 2016). In particular, the genomes and transcriptomes of M. javanica have been reported (Choo et al, 2016; Yusoff et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic analysis identifies genes and pathways related to myrmecophagy in the Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica)

Ma¹,

Li²,

Jiang³

et al. 2017

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) is an unusual, scale-covered, toothless mammal that specializes in myrmecophagy. Due to their threatened status and continuing decline in the wild, concerted efforts have been made to conserve and rescue this species in captivity in China. Maintaining this species in captivity is a significant challenge, partly because little is known of the molecular mechanisms of its digestive system. Here, the first large-scale sequencing analyses of the salivary gland, liver and small intestine transcriptomes of an adult M. javanica genome were performed, and the results were compared with published liver transcriptome profiles for a pregnant M. javanica female. A total of 24,452 transcripts were obtained, among which 22,538 were annotated on the basis of seven databases. In addition, 3,373 new genes were predicted, of which 1,459 were annotated. Several pathways were found to be involved in myrmecophagy, including olfactory transduction, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, and terpenoid and polyketide metabolism pathways. Many of the annotated transcripts were involved in digestive functions: 997 transcripts were related to sensory perception, 129 were related to digestive enzyme gene families, and 199 were related to molecular transporters. One transcript for an acidic mammalian chitinase was found in the annotated data, and this might be closely related to the unique digestive function of pangolins. These pathways and transcripts are involved in specialization processes related to myrmecophagy (a form of insectivory) and carbohydrate, protein and lipid digestive pathways, probably reflecting adaptations to myrmecophagy. Our study is the first to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying myrmecophagy in M. javanica, and we hope that our results may play a role in the conservation of this species.

show abstract

“…DNA barcoding is being increasingly used in the identification of traded products to species, such 9 as pangolin scales (Mwale et al, 2017). 10…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Carroll

Bruford

DeWoody

et al. 2017

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Emerging genomic technologies are reshaping the field of molecular ecology. However, many modern genomic approaches (e.g., RAD-seq) require large amounts of high quality template DNA. This poses a problem for an active branch of conservation biology: genetic monitoring using minimally invasive sampling (MIS) methods. Without handling or even observing an animal, MIS methods (e.g. collection of hair, skin, faeces) can provide genetic information on individuals or populations. Such samples typically yield low quality and/or quantities of DNA, restricting the type of molecular methods that can be used. Despite this limitation, genetic monitoring using MIS is an effective tool for estimating population demographic parameters and monitoring genetic diversity in natural populations. Genetic monitoring is likely to become more important in the future as many natural populations are undergoing anthropogenically-driven declines, which are unlikely to abate without intensive management efforts that often include MIS approaches. Here we profile the expanding suite of genomic methods and platforms compatible with producing genotypes from MIS, considering factors such as development costs and error rates. We evaluate how powerful new approaches will enhance our ability to investigate questions typically answered using genetic monitoring, such as estimating abundance, genetic structure and relatedness. As the field is in a period of unusually rapid transition, we also highlight the importance of legacy datasets and recommend how to address the challenges of moving between traditional and next generation genetic monitoring platforms. Finally, we consider how genetic monitoring could move beyond genotypes in the future. For example, assessing microbiomes or epigenetic markers could provide a greater understanding of the relationship between individuals and their environment.

show abstract

Forensic application of DNA barcoding for identification of illegally traded African pangolin scales

Cited by 49 publications

References 42 publications

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Transcriptomic analysis identifies genes and pathways related to myrmecophagy in the Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica)

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About