Species and sex of two baleen whales identified from their skin tissues using molecular approach

Jayasankar, P and Anoop, B and Afsal, V V and Rajagopalan, M (2006) Species and sex of two baleen whales identified from their skin tissues using molecular approach. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series, 190. pp. 16-17.

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Abstract

Molecular taxonomy technique based on phylogenetic reconstruction of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences developed by CMFRI was successfully applied to ratify species identity of one beach cast baleen whale, which was in fairly fresh condition and unambiguously identify another one, which had decayed beyond recognition. Genomic DNA was extracted from their skin tissues and the mtDNA PCR products were cycle sequenced and species identity was confirmed using a dedicated portal for cetaceans, Witness for Whales (www.dna-surveillance. auckland.ac.nz) containing sequences from specimens of whales, dolphins and porpoises identified by expert taxonomists and Blast search of NCBI (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The sequences were deposited in the GenBank under accession numbers EF057442, EF057443 & EF057444. One of the whales, measuring about 20 m in total length, was stranded on 17th July 2006 in Kundugal near Mandapam (Gulf Mannar) and was identified as a male blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The other, measuring about 12m in total length was stranded in the same area on 8th August 2006 and identified this species as Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni). Application of PCR-based gender identification method developed by CMFRI determined the sex of B. edeni as male and also ratified sex determination of B. musculus based on external genitals.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Species identification; Sex determination; Baleen whale; Skin tissue; Molecular approach
Subjects: Fish Biotechnology
Marine Mammals
Marine Mammals > Whales
Divisions: CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division
Subject Area > CMFRI > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division
CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division
Subject Area > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division

CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biodiversity Division
Subject Area > CMFRI > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biodiversity Division
CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biodiversity Division
Subject Area > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Biodiversity Division
Depositing User: Users 139 not found.
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2010 06:55
Last Modified: 09 Sep 2015 15:24
URI: http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/3866

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