Species specificities among primates probed with commercially available fluorescence-based multiplex PCR typing kits

Area of Science:

• Primate genetics
• Forensic science
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Short tandem repeat (STR) loci are crucial genetic markers.
• Commercial STR kits are widely used in forensics.
• Assessing primate-specific STR profiles is vital for interspecies applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the species specificity of STR loci in commercially available kits across various primate groups.
• To evaluate the utility of the AmpFlSTR Identifiler and GenePrint PowerPlex 16 systems for primate DNA analysis.
• To inform forensic investigations involving nonhuman primates.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 69 DNA samples from 22 nonhuman primate species (apes, Old World Monkeys, New World Monkeys, prosimians).
• Utilized two commercial STR kits: AmpFlSTR Identifiler and GenePrint PowerPlex 16.
• Examined STR loci signal presence and allele frequencies across species.

Main Results:

• Prosimians and some New World Monkeys (NWMs) showed limited or no STR loci amplification.
• Amelogenin-X peak was detected in most NWMs and all Old World Monkeys (OWMs).
• Ape samples exhibited concordant amelogenin peaks with morphological gender and showed the highest allele diversity, increasing phylogenetically.

Conclusions:

• STR loci in commercial kits display significant species-specific variation among primates.
• Allele diversity generally increases with phylogenetic relatedness, being highest in apes.
• The observed species specificities can aid in refining forensic analyses involving primates.