Wildlife forensics: A boon for species identification and conservation implications

Gouda, Sushanto; Kerry, Rout George; Das, Angshuman; Chauhan, Netrapal Singh

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110530

Cited by 31 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…62 Second, when sequencing confiscated individuals or wildlife products (e.g., bushmeat), it can allow for the detection of poaching hotspots, so relevant authorities can enforce national and international laws enacted for protected species. 21 , 63 Successful methods have been developed for African elephants, 21 , 64 but past attempts in chimpanzees did not provide sufficient spatial resolution; 19 , 20 while, unfortunately, microsatellite data do not yield a sufficient degree of genetic structure in chimpanzees. 11 However, some geographic regions are not well resolved, resulting in different possible countries of origin, as is the case for other species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics and genetic connectivity in recent chimpanzee history

et al. 2022

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics and genetic connectivity in recent chimpanzee history

et al. 2022

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“…SSR markers require that informative loci in the focal species have been identified previously, even though once such loci are characterized, typing individuals specimens can be performed relatively easily. On the other hand, ddRADseq do not require any a priori knowledge about informative loci, but is impratical to be performed in only a few specimens at a time (74,75). In addition, other criteria could be applied to select an area for releases, such as using different regional vocal "dialects" as a proxy for the original parental population (76) of a songbird, even though the vocal plasticity exhibited by several species may be challenging (76).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Preliminary Assessment of the Potential Health and Genetic Impacts of Releasing Confiscated Passerines Into the Wild: A Reduced-Risk Approach

et al. 2021

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The illegal capture and trade of wild birds have long been threats to biodiversity. The rehabilitation and release of confiscated animals may be a useful conservation tool in species management. However, differences between populations regarding health (e.g., different pathogens) and adaptation (e.g., local adaptation) must be taken into account, since both can negatively impact the recipient population. In this pilot study, we used two of the most illegally trafficked Brazilian wild passerine species, namely the red-crested cardinal (Paroaria coronata) and green-winged saltator (Saltator similis) as case studies and assessed some of the health threats that the release of confiscated passerines may pose to free-living birds. We also investigated the level of difference in mitochondrial genetic structure among populations living in different ecoregions. Blood, feces, and oropharyngeal swabs from confiscated (n = 115) and free-living (n = 120) passerines from the release sites were tested for the Newcastle disease virus, Salmonella spp., and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. These are considered major avian diseases by the Brazilian National Avian Health Program. We analyzed mtDNA to study the difference in genetic structure between populations using samples from 127 free-living passerines. We found no evidence of the Newcastle disease virus or Salmonella spp. in confiscated or free-living passerines from either species. However, the levels of infection with M. galissepticum detected in our study for red-crested cardinals and green-winged saltators calls for a high degree of caution in captive release programs. The difference in genetic structure between populations occurring in different regions was low, and was not significant between those from the Pampa/Subtropical Grasslands region. These results suggest that it may be possible to establish a cost-effective and sensitive protocol for releasing confiscated songbirds, provided that further genome-wide studies indicate that the functional genetic diversity among (at least some of the) populations is also low.

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“…The most tragic outcome results in the extinction of threatened species. Along with effective protection measures and conservation programs, proving the offences of perpetrators and enforcing punishment are crucial to control and prevent future wildlife crimes [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combination of Multiple Microsatellite Analysis and Genome-Wide SNP Genotyping Helps to Solve Wildlife Crime: A Case Study of Poaching of a Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica) in Russian Mountain National Park

Rodionov

Deniskova

Dotsev

et al. 2021

Animals

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Poaching is one of the major types of wildlife crime in Russia. Remnants of goats (presumably the wild endemic species, the Caucasian tur) were found in an area of the Caucasian mountains. The case study involves a suspected poacher whose vehicle was found to have two duffel bags containing pieces of a carcass, which he claimed was that of a goat from his flock. The aim of the forensic genetic analysis for this case was to (i) establish individual identity and (ii) perform species identification. DNA typing based on fourteen microsatellites revealed that STR-genotypes generated from pieces of evidence found at crime scene fully matched those obtained from the evidence seized from the suspect. The results of genome-wide SNP-genotyping, using Illumina Goat SNP50 BeadChip, provided evidence that the poached animal was a wild Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica). Thus, based on comprehensive molecular genetic analysis, evidence of poaching was obtained and sent to local authorities. To our knowledge, this case study is the first to attempt to use DNA chips in wildlife forensics of ungulates.

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Wildlife forensics: A boon for species identification and conservation implications

Cited by 31 publications

References 87 publications

Population dynamics and genetic connectivity in recent chimpanzee history

Population dynamics and genetic connectivity in recent chimpanzee history

A Preliminary Assessment of the Potential Health and Genetic Impacts of Releasing Confiscated Passerines Into the Wild: A Reduced-Risk Approach

Combination of Multiple Microsatellite Analysis and Genome-Wide SNP Genotyping Helps to Solve Wildlife Crime: A Case Study of Poaching of a Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica) in Russian Mountain National Park

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