DNA in dung to reveal first true cassowary count
(麻豆淫院Org.com) -- In a world first, CSIRO scientists will use an innovative DNA technique to deliver reliable data about north Queensland鈥檚 Cassowary population and by doing so develop a greater understanding of this endangered species.
In a collaborative study developed by the CSIRO, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the Australian Rainforest Foundation (ARF), DNA from Cassowary dung is analysed to identify characteristics that represent individual animals, family groups and range.
鈥淭he development of this innovative DNA technique will for the first time in history lead to more accurate population estimates in the Southern Cassowaries remaining habitat,鈥� says CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems senior research scientist Dr David Westcott.
鈥淐ombining the DNA results with other field data, will give us a whole heap of new clues about the birds鈥� movements, breeding patterns, and numbers.
鈥淥nce we鈥檝e collected enough genetic data from the DNA fingerprinting, we鈥檒l be able to create a model of how cassowaries use habitat, and how their populations are structured, which will inform future conservation strategies.鈥�
Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) executive director Andrew Maclean said the Authority strongly supports cassowary conservation and is pleased to have contributed $50,000 to the cassowary DNA project.
鈥淭he endangered cassowary is a key rainforest species,鈥� says Mr Maclean.
鈥淚nvolvement of the community in collecting cassowary DNA in scats will help us monitor the numbers and distribution of cassowary populations in the Mission Beach area and in turn give us an insight into the health of rainforest ecosystems throughout the Wet Tropics.鈥�
CSIRO, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Australian Rainforest Foundation, Environment Protection Agency and Reef and Rainforest Research Council (RRRC) have all supported the project to date and back the new DNA technique that will finally lead to the first accurate counts of the Cassowary.
Provided by CSIRO
