Application of STR markers in wildlife forensic casework involving Australian black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

Abstract

Parrots and cockatoos are highly prized aviary birds and the demands for such species 20 has fuelled their illegal trade and harvest from the wild. Here we report on three forensic case studies involving black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.) endemic to Australia. These cases involve suspected poaching and illegal killing of endangered red-and white-tailed black-cockatoos. Through the prior development of 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci and population databases for white-and red-tailed 25 black-cockatoos, the tools are available to conduct high-resolution paternity and individual identity testing. In one case, we matched a red-tailed black-cockatoo nestling to a tree hollow from which it was poached through the use of DNA from eggshell recovered from the nest. For the second case, we utilized our provenance population database (nest sites), and identified the kinship and geographic origin of a 30 white-tailed black-cockatoo, of which was illegally harvested from the wild. The third case determined the number individual white-tailed black-cockatoos allegedly shot at a fruit grower's orchard from body part remains. These genetic investigations highlight the significance and statistical confidence of DNA profiling and associated databases for endangered taxa, such as exotic birds. Our cockatoo population 35 databases are the first of their kind in Australia, and demonstrate the efficacy of such approaches to identify such illegal activity. With a robust set of genetic markers and methodologies in place, we aim to broaden our population databases to include other cockatoo species of conservation concern. 40

Nature conservation on agricultural land: a case study of the endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris breeding at Koobabbie in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia

“…DNA-based sex identification targeted the CHD-W and CHD-Z genes located on the sex chromosomes (female, ZW; male, ZZ) using modified primers of Griffiths et al (1998). Kinship (relatedness) analyses followed White et al (2009White et al ( , 2012 to determine how many and how often individual breeding females nested in hollows on Koobabbie. Saunders (1982) developed a growth curve for Carnaby's Cockatoo based on the relationship between estimated age and expected body mass (g), with standard deviations that ranged from ±20.7% of body mass for nestlings 18 days old, to ±7.4% of body mass for nestlings 68 days old.…”

Testing of microsatellite multiplexes for individual identification of Cape Parrots (Poicephalus robustus): paternity testing and monitoring trade

“…The exact value of the illegal wildlife trade is unknown, but current estimates suggest that illegal transactions involving wildlife and their products is a multibillion US dollar enterprise (Broad, Mulliken & Roe, 2002; Interpol, 2014). This is particularly true for rare bird species, which are highly sought after (Cooney & Jepson, 2006; White et al, 2012). Parrots (order Psittaciformes) are extremely popular as pets and have the highest reported trade figures among all traded avian orders (Bush, Baker & Macdonald, 2014).…”

“…Regular assessments of the genetic fitness of captive populations are therefore important to ensure healthy populations exist for possible reintroductions. The legitimacy of some “captive-bred” animals are also a concern, as it has been suggested that some breeding facilities produce more “captive-bred” animals than is plausible (Lyons & Natusch, 2011; White et al, 2012). It is therefore imperative to monitor the legal trade of alleged captive bred birds to identify possible illegal activities.…”

“…Molecular forensic methods are widely used to identify suspected illegally obtained wildlife or wildlife products (Comstock, Ostrander & Wasser, 2003; Gupta, Verma & Singh, 2005; Lorenzini, 2005; Dawnay et al, 2009; Lorenzini et al, 2011; Coghlan et al, 2012; White et al, 2012; Mondol et al, 2014; Gonçalves et al, 2015; Presti et al, 2015). One of the most useful molecular forensic tools is genetic fingerprinting using microsatellite markers.…”

“…One of the most useful molecular forensic tools is genetic fingerprinting using microsatellite markers. These markers have been used to identify legally, and illegally, traded birds when a sufficient reference database is available (White et al, 2012; Presti et al, 2015). It is necessary to consider the genetic sub-structuring within a species if the reintroductions of confiscated animals are considered, as the subpopulations could have acquired habitat specific fitness (e.g., pathogen resistance; Boyce et al, 2011).…”