A rapid PCR-based test for species identification of two cryptic bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P-pygmaeus and its application on museum and dropping samples

作者：Kanuch Peter^*; Hajkova Petra; Rehak Zdenek; Bryja Josef

来源：Acta Chiropterologica, 2007, 9(1): 277-282.

DOI：10.3161/1733-5329(2007)9[277:ARPTFS]2.0.CO;2

• Chiroptera
• cytochrome b
• mtDNA
• sibling species
• non-invasive sampling

The identification of two cryptic bat species of the genus Pipistrellus using a non-destructive and quick method of multiplex PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis, is described. Two primer combinations were able to produce species-specific bands that identified reliably individuals that were previously identified by mtDNA sequencing. Robustness of the method was subsequently successfully tested on 16 randomly selected free-living animals from central Europe (tissue samples obtained from a 3 mm punch of wing-membrane) identified to species on the basis of echolocation calls. Nine out of 15 museum specimens and 100% of fresh faecal samples from seven individuals were also successfully identified by this method. The described method thus provides a good way to routinely distinguish two Pipistrellus species by using non-destructive sampling of living individuals or droppings, and will be used in field studies of their ecology.

• 出版日期2007