Application of molted feathers as noninvasive samples to studies on the genetic structure of pigeons (Aves: Columbidae)

Abstract

The application of molted feathers as noninvasive samples for studies on the genetic structure of pigeons (Aves: Columbidae) was examined using a newly developed universal primer set for the hypervariable left domain of mitochondrial control region, SXL0 and KXH5. The feathers of pigeons with downy barbs are easier to find and identify than those of smaller species. Thirty-four feather samples from eight taxa, which included five species from three distant genera, were used to test the universality of the primer set and the intraspecific variability of the target region. Approximately 500 base pairs of the target region were able to be amplified and sequenced for 33 samples from all eight taxa. For most of the multisampled taxa, the target region was highly variable, and was suitable for studies on genetic structure. The use of molted feathers along with this universal primer set would be a powerful tool to overview the genetic structure of pigeon species, because of its easy and noninvasive sampling method and readiness for subsequent genetic analysis.