Nov

23

2007
 
 

Tooth and paw



Genetic analysis reveals the real culprit behind Scandinavian sheep kills

bad to the boneBiologists at Uppsala University, Sweden, have successfully extracted DNA from saliva around bite wounds in two savaged sheep. Carles Vilà and colleagues swabbed the grisly remains, used some clever machines to get the DNA out, and compared their findings against known genetic sequences. Wolves Canis lupis perusing the online pages of Conservation Genetics will no doubt delight in discovering that the predator responsible was in fact a single very naughty dog — the two faithful farm mutts have also been ruled out of the investigation. The technological advance should ensure that wolves aren’t made into scapegoats, so to speak, and blamed unfairly for crimes they did not commit. You see how science can make us all more happy? Except sheep, of course. Source: Sundqvist A-K, Ellegren H & Vilà C (2007) Wolf or dog? Genetic identification of predators from saliva collected around bite wounds on prey. Conservation Genetics DOI: 10.1007/s10592-007-9454-4

Related stories in Conservation magazine: The Last Gladiators | The Look of Success

Image © Barun Patro

Filed Under Endangered species, Restoration, Monitoring, Economics and conservation, Community-based conservation, Socio-political issues, Tools and technology | 

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