The team is simplifying the process of collecting and analyzing DNA to conserve wildlife

A brand new method to gathering DNA permits scientists to seize genetic info from wildlife with out disturbing the animals or placing their security in danger. Examined on elephant dung, the protocol yielded sufficient DNA to sequence the entire genome of not solely elephants but in addition their related microbes, crops, parasites and different organisms — at a fraction of the price of present strategies.

The researchers report their findings within the journal Frontiers in genetics.

Alida de Flaming, a postdoctoral researcher on the College of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, who led the work with the U.S. First, Professor of Zoology Alfred Roca. “This enables us to evaluate wildlife populations with out having to throw, seize or immobilize the animals.”

Rocca stated gathering DNA from elephant dung is nothing new.

“the elephant stool samples They’ve been used for many years to review the genetics of elephants. “However this depends on very cumbersome strategies, usually involving chemical substances that may be harmful in some instances. The kits are cumbersome, tough to ship and have to be refrigerated, which makes the entire course of very costly.”

De Flamingh examined a comparatively cheap different: utilizing postcard-sized knowledge assortment playing cards that had been processed to stop samples from deteriorating. Earlier analysis has proven that when samples are smeared onto cardstock, they are often saved for a number of months with out refrigeration.

The inspiration for the research got here from de Vlaming’s work with the U.S. anthropology professor.

“Historical DNA may be problematic as a result of the samples degrade and should end in very low ranges of DNA for the goal species,” de Flamming stated. Acquiring genomic knowledge from dung can equally be difficult, with decrease concentrations of elephant DNA than is on the market from blood samples. “I believed this appeared like a superb alternative to check whether or not the identical methodologies could possibly be utilized to non-invasive samples to generate the identical sort of information.”

The staff first collected samples from the zoo’s elephants in experiments designed to find out how lengthy after defecation they may produce droppings. Genomic knowledge. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida and the Dallas Zoo allowed the staff to gather samples from African savannah elephants. The researchers retrieved the samples instantly after defecation and 24, 48 and 72 hours later.

Their checks revealed that even a three-day-old dung produced sufficient DNA for genetic research of elephants.

The researchers then examined their method on samples collected from wild African savannah elephants. Research collaborator and co-author Rudi van Aarde, an emeritus professor of zoology and entomology on the College of Pretoria, South Africa, and colleagues used the playing cards to gather elephant dung samples after figuring out a geographically and ecologically various group of untamed areas throughout southern Africa.

by operating sequence knowledge The playing cards have been obtained by way of genetic databases, and the staff finds a treasure trove of knowledge within the dung.

“I used to be stunned,” stated Roca. “I believed we’d get some elephant DNA from the playing cards, however I used to be considering on the order of two%. Nevertheless, on common, greater than 12% of the DNA is attributed to the elephant.”

The researchers stated this was achieved with out utilizing laboratory strategies that concentrate on solely elephant DNA, which is an costly and time-consuming process. Consequently, every pattern supplied an infinite quantity of information concerning the elephant, the microbial composition of its intestine, its habitat and its weight-reduction plan. Researchers have even found the DNA of butterflies and different arthropods that work together with dung after it’s deposited.

“It is actually useful to get an thought of ​​every thing there as a result of now you can begin asking questions, not simply concerning the elephants’ genomes but in addition about issues like their well being and weight-reduction plan and whether or not there are pathogens or parasites,” de Flamming stated.

• 

• 

Relating to elephant genomes, Roca stated, the outcomes are just like these obtained with blood samples.

“You may discover the interdependence of various elephant teams, the extent of genetic variety, the extent of inbreeding and the connection between elephants,” he stated. “And I’d say there are a whole lot of the explanation why you would not need to gather blood samples from wild elephants.”

“It is potential to do what you are able to do with blood, however it goes past that,” stated de Flaming. “Now you can do analyzes that you simply could not do earlier than with blood DNA, which solely gives details about the elephant genome.”

de Flaming is a postdoctoral researcher and Malhey and Roca are professors on the Carl R. Woese of Genomic Biology on the College of Illinois.