Item

DNA collection system for Mark-Recapture estimation of possum density, and TB surveillance sensitivity

Ross, James G.
Agnew, T.
Nugent, Graham
Whitford, J.
Date
2014-11
Type
Conference Contribution - published
Fields of Research
Abstract
In this study we have developed a DNA collection device suitable for identifying individual possums using saliva. The device brief was: 1) the device must be cheap (<$10; ideally could be reused); 2) the device must be rat-proof (although the presence of rat saliva is not an issue); 3) the device should ideally be set off on the first possum encounter (the presence of more than one possum's DNA profile is an issue); 4) the device must protect DNA for up to 14 days in the field; 5) the device must be easy to set and inspect (can be tree mounted); and 6) the device must comply with current Animal Welfare Regulations. In trials with captive animals we have demonstrated that we can reliably identify individual possums (using microsatellites) up to 14 days after initial encounter, provided the saliva was fully protected from UV and rain. Given this result we developed a prototype design and in an ongoing field trial the DNA device was activated 86% of the time by possums on first encounter. Due to the design, rodents were also unable to set off the device over 23 interactions and we were able to collect high quality DNA samples from the majority of these possum interactions. At the conference we will present the updated design complemented with further field trial results.
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