Application of DNA Forensic Techniques for Identifying Poached Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in Chilean Patagonia*

Abstract

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a protected and widely distributed ungulate in South America. A poacher, after killing guanacos in Valle Chacabuco, Chilean Patagonia, transported and stored the meat. Samples were retrieved by local police but the suspect argued that the meat was from a horse. Mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (774 pb), 15 loci microsatellites, and SRY gene were used to identify the species, number of animals and their population origin, and the sex of the animals, respectively. Analysis revealed that the samples came from a female (absence of SRY gene) Patagonian guanaco (assignment probability between 0.0075 and 0.0282), and clearly distinguishing it from sympatric ungulates (E-value = 0). Based on the evidence obtained in the field in addition to forensic data, the suspect was convicted of poaching and illegally carrying fire arms. This is the first report of molecular tools being used in forensic investigations of Chilean wildlife indicating its promising future application in guanaco management and conservation.

Aportes de la genética de la conservación al estudio de los mamíferos neotropicales: revisión y análisis crítico

“…El análisis de ADN forense permitió identificar la caza furtiva, el comercio ilegal y el contrabando ilegal de especies amenazadas, entre otros delitos (Iyengar 2014). En lo que respecta a mamíferos neotropicales, se usan distintos marcadores moleculares para identificar carne de guanaco (Lama glama), venado de las pampas (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) y carpincho (H. hydrochaeris) producto de la caza furtiva (Marín et al 2009;Sanches et al 2012). …”

Cross-amplification of nonspecific microsatellites markers: a useful tool to study endangered/vulnerable species of southern Andes deer

“…Furthermore, the availability of a common set of polymorphic markers in these species allows testing of the population genetic parameters that are required to establish the conservation status of natural populations without needing to develop species-specific markers. We also showed that the differences in allele frequency distributions between these markers have value for forensic cases when species determination is necessary in the absence of phenotypic data (e.g., Marín et al, 2009). These microsatellite markers will be useful for resolving conservation problems related to management programs for these southern Andes deer.…”

Hot Topic: [Introduction to the Special Issue on Forensic Genetics: Non-Human DNA (Guest Editor: Dr. Antonio Amorim)]

“…The possibility of forensic application requires a sound knowledge of the molecular systematics of the involved taxa. The enormous research effort implied must be shared with biologists in general (zoologists, botanists, microbiologists), and in particular with conservationists and other wild life specialists [4,8].…”

“…Extension to the forensic examination of non-human DNA lagged behind, but it is now intensively researched and has already provided spectacular and innovative results. This growth can be assessed, for instance, through the number of presentations devoted to non-human DNA in the last International Society for Forensic Genetics Congress (21 out of 317; proceedings soon to be published in Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series) or by browsing the most recent issues of the leading journals in the field [e.g., [2][3][4][5]. Moreover, a comprehensive and authoritative handbook has been recently published [6].…”