Molecular Identification Laboratory

The service uses basic molecular techniques for working with nucleic acids (nuclear or mitochondrial sequences) in order to identify animal species, in those cases that morphological traits are insufficient to do so or or when only remains such as nails, feathers, blood, skin, bone fragments, etc. are available.

DNA extracts are obtained by different protocols particular for each type of tissue, and the taxon-specific sequences  are amplified by PCR with previously published or newly designed primers. In many species the identification is carried out by barcoding (COI).

Molecular determination of sex, population or paternity analysis is carried out after a previous study on published knowledge of each species.

Tissue samples, small specimens or parts thereof, and DNA/RNA can be prepared for long preservation or dry preservation at room temperature for transport by lyophilization.