Microsatellite characterization of Chital deer (Axis axis) by using faecal DNA

Aim: To study the genome profile of Chital deer (A.axis) by microsatellite markers using faecal DNA & to assess its usefulness as non invasive method of genotyping. Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from 44 animals from faeces and blood, out of which 26 (3 from blood and 23 from faeces) were subjected for genotyping. The PCR products of all the ten microsatellite loci were subjected to 6 % UreaPAGE to differentiate allelic size. Result: Total 57 alleles and 49 genotypes were found with their frequencies ranging from 0.022 to 0.457 and 0.043 to 0.696 respectively. The observed number of alleles ranged from 4 -8, (Av. = 5.7 per locus). The PIC and Shannon's information index values for all loci ranged between 0.6645 to 0.8270 (Av. = 0.7442 per locus) and 1.1870 to 1.8852 (Av. = 1.5122 per locus) respectively. Conclusion: Faecal DNA can be effectively used in genotyping wild animals, however the method and time of collection & storage as well as the type of faecal material largely influences the quality & quantity of DNA.