Non-Invasive Genetic Analysis in Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity means the variety of genes, species, population and ecosystems. Genetic diversity fuels the engine of evolution and is essential for survival of species. In conservation genetics, DNA markers are being increasingly used for gathering information on species diversity. Conservation biology and population analysis of different animals thus ensure to preserve species as dynamic entities capable of coping with environmental change. Species and population genetic assessment demands easy, fast, less expensive and reliable DNA extraction methodologies. Among different procedure of obtaining DNA samples, non-invasive analysis is now widely accepted method for retrieving the genetic data from many endangered species.

Non-invasive sampling of hair, faeces, feathers or sloughs is currently used for molecular genetic studies of endangered species. Such genetic sampling is less stressful for animals and sampling of large population can be possible without visual/physical contact. Characterization of non-invasive material using molecular markers like Major Histocompatibity Complex (MHC), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellites, minisatellites and mitochondrial DNA allows biologists to identify and count individuals in wild population, to identify the sex of those individuals and determine their movement pattern, to infer parentage, kinship and relatedness and to assess pathogen and diet. The non-invasive methods are less expensive than the most reliable traditional field method and preferable from an ethical point of view. This study is an attempt to discuss the issues and wide ranging application of non-invasive genetic analysis in light of modern research.