Conservation genetics applied to birds illegal trade

Abstract

Birds represent the greater part of the animals associated to illegal trade/commerce in Brazil, specially due to some characteristics as song and feathers colors. Nowadays, genetic analyses comprehend one of the most effi cient approaches to generate data in order to solve and minimize the results of environmental crimes and illegal trade of wild animals. In birds, one of the genetic survey that can be used to subside conservation plans associated to illegal trade refers to molecular sexing, since it is not possible to identify the gender in some avian species based on morphological characters. The molecular sexing can be performed using DNA from different samples, as feathers and blood, and further amplifi cation of the CHD-Z e CHD-W (chromo helicaseDNA binding) gene regions. The sex-specifi c genetic profi les can support conservation programs of captive maintenance and/or reproduction and subsequent release or reintroduction of the animals on wild environment.