A rapid PCR-based assay for identification of cryptic Myotis spp. (M. mystacinus, M. brandtii and M. alcathoe)

• Published in: Conservation genetics resources 2011-07, Vol.3 (3), p.557-563
• Main Authors: Boston, Emma S. M., Hanrahan, Nicola, Puechmaille, Sébastien J., Ruedi, Manuel, Buckley, Daniel J., Lundy, Mathieu G., Scott, David D., Prodöhl, Paulo A., Montgomery, W. I., Teeling, Emma C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Genetics and Genomics; Bats; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Ecology; Evolutionary Biology; Gel electrophoresis; Life Sciences; Mitochondria; Myotis; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Polymerase chain reaction; Roosts; Single-nucleotide polymorphism; Species; Technical Note
• ISSN: 1877-7252; 1877-7260
• DOI: 10.1007/s12686-011-9404-9

The development of a quick PCR-based method to distinguish European cryptic Myotis spp., Myotis mystacinus , Myotis brandtii and Myotis alcathoe is described. Primers were designed around species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP’s) in the ND1 mitochondrial gene, and a pair of control primers was designed in the 12S mitochondrial gene. A multiplex of seven primer combinations produces clear species-specific bands using gel electrophoresis. Robustness of the method was tested on 33 M. mystacinus , 16 M. brandtii and 15 M. alcathoe samples from across the European range of these species. The method worked well on faecal samples collected from maternity roosts of M. mystacinus . The test is intended to aid collection of data on these species through a rapid and easy identification method with the ability to use DNA obtained from a range of sources including faecal matter.