The variability of DNA fingerprints in three species of swan

The genetic variation in three species of swans was examined by DNA fingerprinting. Human minisatellite probes detected a number of highly variable fragments in the restriction digests of total nuclear DNA. Assuming bands to be independent, the average allele frequency for minisatellite loci was 0·154, 0·154 and 0·109 for Mute, Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, respectively. The pattern of band-distribution showed a certain degree of species-specificity, so that the fingerprints may reflect taxonomic affinities of the species. Pedigree analysis of a single family of Mute Swans showed that most of the variable fragments were inherited in a simple Mendelian fashion, allowing the relatedness of the individuals to be determined. DNA fingerprinting potentially provides a large number of genetic markers for studying the behavioural ecology, population genetics and evolution of swans. © 1990 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.

Duke Scholars

Author Royston Edwin Carter Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs