Identification of Wild Indian Elephant Elephas maximus through Species Specific Molecular Markers

Abstract

A b s t r a c t A r t i c l e I n f o The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as Endangered by IUCN. The Elephas maximus are an ecologically and economically important species in many Indian habitats. However, illegal hunting, poaching, habitat destruction and other factors, especially in wild elephant populations. The present study highlights regarding the designing of species-specific primers based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop and 12S ribosomal ribonucleic acid standardized protocol. The designed species-specific primers helped to identify suspected wild sample as Elephas maximus (Elephant) and also provide a viable scientific evidence to prove the forensic studies.