IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
© IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 74 (April 2008)

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• DNA of Asian Otters

DNA of Asian Otters

Dear Colleagues

A student at Exeter University has been looking at the genetics of otters from an area of Britain where the population has been substantially augmented from captive breeding stock. It appears that their mitochondrial DNA includes a sequence which is not recorded elsewhere in Britain and that this may help determine the origin of some of these animals. There is a widespread belief that some of the founders may have come from Asia (in particularly the subspecies Lutra lutra barang) and we would be grateful for help in testing this hypothesis.

a) Does anyone know of studies which have been carried out on the mitochondrial DNA of Asian otters in general or L lutra barang in particular. Reference to any published studies or a contact name would be helpful.

b) Can anyone provide tissues from such otters? A hair sample (pulled not cut) is all that is needed.

Replies to me at mammals@chaninweb.co.uk would be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much

Paul
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Paul Chanin, Mammal Ecologist
North View Cottage, Union Road, Crediton, Devon, EX17 3AL
Tel: 01363 774072, Fax: not available
http://www.chaninweb.co.uk/mammals/

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