Genome Scientific Course: Monkey Genotyping Group Report INTRASPECIFIC COMPARISON OF MICROSATELLITE DNA MARKERS IN JAPANESE MACAQUES (Macaca fuscata yakui)

DNA of animal can be obtained from many sources such as buccal cells, hair, faeces (Woodruff, 1993). DNA sampling using faeces as DNA source is one of non-invasive sampling method, that is characterized by the indirect sampling of a specimen and not requiring harm to animals of interest. Faeces DNA includes the DNA of animals, plants which animals digested, bacteria, virus, and parasites, which can provide valuable information on the ecology of wild animals. The Japanese macaques inhabiting Yakushima Island are different subspecies (Macaca fuscata yakui) from the macaques inhabiting the rest of Japan (M. f. fuscata). Characteristics of the Yakushima subspecies include high densities (ca. 30 individuals/km2), and small home ranges that overlap among troops (Azuma, 1985). Our aim is to understand the way to analyse the DNA which is extracted from Yakuzaru (Macaca fuscata yakui) faecal samples. In this project, we want to determine the sex identification of the collected Yakuzaru faeces by using the SRY gene, which located on Y-chromosome. Then, the identification of the individual is conducted by amplifying the microsatellite regions. Finally, by using the monkey DNA, kin discrimination can be analysed and the estimates of kinship based on the population of allele frequency can be calculated.