Determining sex of Steller and California sea lions utilizing qPCR analysis of scat
Research Mentor(s)
Dr. Acevedo-Gutierrez
Description
Developing methods to identify the sex of pinniped depositors from scat describes demographics of sampled populations and may reveal differential prey consumption between males and females. Sex-specific diet information determines predator impacts on prey populations and informs ecosystem management decisions. Matejusová (et al. 2013) developed qPCR methods to determine the sex of wild harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from collected scat, which allowed scientists to document sex-specific diet differences across spatial and temporal scales in the Salish Sea (Schwarz et al. 2018). We expand on these methods by developing assays to determine sex from Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) and California (Zalophus californianus) sea lion scats. We acquired scat samples from California and Steller sea lion individuals of known sex housed in the Vancouver and Seattle aquariums. DNA was extracted using a QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit and NucleoSpin® DNA Stool extraction kit. Novel Taqman gene expression assays were designed using distinct regions within the zinc-finger X-linked gene (ZFX) and sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) of Steller and California sea lions to be used in qPCR signal amplification. Once finalized, this protocol can be implemented to validate differential prey consumption of male and female Steller and California sea lions in wild populations.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Biology
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Determining sex of Steller and California sea lions utilizing qPCR analysis of scat
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Developing methods to identify the sex of pinniped depositors from scat describes demographics of sampled populations and may reveal differential prey consumption between males and females. Sex-specific diet information determines predator impacts on prey populations and informs ecosystem management decisions. Matejusová (et al. 2013) developed qPCR methods to determine the sex of wild harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from collected scat, which allowed scientists to document sex-specific diet differences across spatial and temporal scales in the Salish Sea (Schwarz et al. 2018). We expand on these methods by developing assays to determine sex from Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) and California (Zalophus californianus) sea lion scats. We acquired scat samples from California and Steller sea lion individuals of known sex housed in the Vancouver and Seattle aquariums. DNA was extracted using a QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit and NucleoSpin® DNA Stool extraction kit. Novel Taqman gene expression assays were designed using distinct regions within the zinc-finger X-linked gene (ZFX) and sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) of Steller and California sea lions to be used in qPCR signal amplification. Once finalized, this protocol can be implemented to validate differential prey consumption of male and female Steller and California sea lions in wild populations.