BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 August 2010 Polymerase Chain Reaction–Based Sex Identification in the Greater Roadrunner
Carlos A. Santamaria, Samuel Kelley, Gerral G. Schulz, Dean Ransom, Luis A. Hurtado
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

We determined a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based method to identify the sex of greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus). We found that previously reported primer combinations used in other bird species did not work reliably in roadrunners. However, a novel primer combination (P2-1237L) allowed for consistent and reliable sex identification of roadrunners. Conducting several PCR replicates per sample helped to identify occasional preferential amplification of the Z band that could occur in females (the heterogametic sex; i.e., WZ). Identifying the sex of individuals will allow for examination of sex-associated differences in home range size and habitat use, population demographics, and parenting behavior, as well as for a better understanding of the social system of roadrunners.

Carlos A. Santamaria, Samuel Kelley, Gerral G. Schulz, Dean Ransom, and Luis A. Hurtado "Polymerase Chain Reaction–Based Sex Identification in the Greater Roadrunner," Journal of Wildlife Management 74(6), 1395-1399, (1 August 2010). https://doi.org/10.2193/2009-248
Published: 1 August 2010
JOURNAL ARTICLE
5 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
birds
Geococcyx californianus
Greater Roadrunner
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
sex determination
Texas
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top