Cross-Amplification in Strigiformes: A New STR Panel for Forensic Purposes

Area of Science:

• Conservation genetics
• Molecular ecology
• Wildlife forensics

Background:

• Strigiformes (owls) face significant population declines due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.
• The demand for wild-caught birds fuels illegal trade, necessitating effective tools for monitoring and enforcement.
• Microsatellite markers (STRs) are crucial for assessing genetic diversity and individual identification in conservation contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a universal panel of microsatellite loci for Strigiformes.
• To assess the utility of this panel for forensic applications and biodiversity research.
• To aid conservation efforts by providing a reliable method for individual identification and genetic variability assessment.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 32 polymorphic microsatellite markers across 84 individuals from 11 Strigiformes species.
• Genetic variability analysis and kinship assessment.
• Characterization of a final panel of 12 microsatellite loci.

Main Results:

• A panel of 12 microsatellite loci was identified as reliable for individual identification in 9 Strigiformes species.
• The selected markers demonstrated high polymorphism and utility across different owl species.
• The study successfully established a tool for genetic analysis in Strigiformes.

Conclusions:

• The developed microsatellite panel is a valuable tool for wildlife forensics, aiding authorities in prosecuting illegal trade and verifying claims.
• This panel can enhance conservation strategies by enabling accurate assessment of genetic diversity and relatedness in both wild and captive owl populations.
• The findings contribute to preserving Strigiformes biodiversity through improved genetic monitoring and forensic capabilities.