A Comparison of Field and Molecular Techniques for Sexing Beavers

Joanne C. Crawford; Zhiwei Liu; Thomas A. Nelson; Clayton K. Nielsen; Craig K. Bloomquist

doi:10.2193/2007-375

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1 November 2008 A Comparison of Field and Molecular Techniques for Sexing Beavers

Joanne C. Crawford, Zhiwei Liu, Thomas A. Nelson, Clayton K. Nielsen, Craig K. Bloomquist

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J. of Wildlife Management, 72(8):1805-1807 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2193/2007-375

Abstract

The traditional method of sex identification in beavers (Castor canadensis) by external palpation can be inaccurate. We tested 2 genetic methods for determining sex in beavers, the zinc-finger DNA marker and the Y chromosome–specific sex determining region (SRY) marker. The SRY marker identified sex correctly in 57 of 67 (85%) beavers, whereas the zinc-finger technique was successful less often in only 48 of 67 (72%) animals. Sex was correctly assigned by palpation for 21 of 27 beavers (78%). Beaver studies in which accurate sex identification is critical may benefit by verifying the sex of individuals using one or both of these molecular markers.

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Joanne C. Crawford, Zhiwei Liu, Thomas A. Nelson, Clayton K. Nielsen, and Craig K. Bloomquist "A Comparison of Field and Molecular Techniques for Sexing Beavers," Journal of Wildlife Management 72(8), 1805-1807, (1 November 2008). https://doi.org/10.2193/2007-375

Published: 1 November 2008

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