A new marker based on the avian spindlin gene that is able to sex most birds, including species problematic to sex with CHD markers.

Deborah A Dawson,Gavin J Horsburgh,Natalie Dos Remedios

doi:10.1002/zoo.21326

Deborah A Dawson, Gavin J Horsburgh + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21326

Copy DOI

Journal: Zoo Biology	Publication Date: Oct 24, 2016
Citations: 27	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Sheffield

Abstract

We have developed a new marker (Z43B) that can be successfully used to identify the sex of most birds (69%), including species difficult or impossible to sex with other markers. We utilized the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata EST microsatellite sequence (CK309496) which displays sequence homology to the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the avian spindlin gene. This gene is known to be present on the Z and W chromosomes. To maximize cross-species utility, the primer set was designed from a consensus sequence created from homologs of CK309496 that were isolated from multiple distantly related species. Both the forward and reverse primer sequences were 100% identical to 14 avian species, including the Z chromosome of eight species and the chicken Gallus gallus W chromosome, as well as the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus. The Z43B primer set was assessed by genotyping individuals of known sex belonging to 61 non-ratite species and a single ratite. The Z and W amplicons differed in size making it possible to distinguish between males (ZZ) and females (ZW) for the majority (69%) of non-ratite species tested, comprising 10 orders of birds. We predict that this marker will be useful for obtaining sex-typing data for ca 6,869 species of birds (69% of non-ratites but not galliforms). A wide range of species could be sex-typed including passerines, shorebirds, eagles, falcons, bee-eaters, cranes, shags, parrots, penguins, ducks, and a ratite species, the brown kiwi, Apteryx australis. Those species sexed include species impossible or problematic to sex-type with other markers (magpie, albatross, petrel, eagle, falcon, crane, and penguin species). Zoo Biol. 35:533-545, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Highlights

In at least 50% of all bird species, the sexes of adults are morphologically indistinguishable and for the majority of species, nestlings cannot be sexed
We developed a new marker for sex-typing birds that can be used to identify sex in most species, including those that are impossible or problematic to sex-type with other published markers
We have identified a new marker capable of sex-typing species that P2–P8 cannot and that can be used as a second marker to confirm the accuracy of bird sex-typing data

Summary

Introduction

In at least 50% of all bird species, the sexes of adults are morphologically indistinguishable and for the majority of species, nestlings cannot be sexed. Species Which Are Impossible or Problematic to Sex-Type With Currently Available Markers to sex approximately 80% of non-ratite species [Dawson, 2007]. Species that cannot be sex-typed with P2–P8 include eagles, falcons, and vultures, Pelecaniformes, Piciformes, geese, owls, petrels, albatrosses, pigeons, and doves (Table 1).

Methods

Results

Conclusion