A suite of falcon single-locus minisatellite probes: a powerful alternative to DNA fingerprinting

Nine falcon single-locus minisatellite probes have been cloned, characterized and shown to provide a powerful alternative to multilocus DNA fingerprinting for determining the parentage of broods of young. Eight clones derived from size-selected peregrine Falco peregrinus and merlin F. columbarius charomid libraries were found to detect single minisatellite loci in all tested members of the genus Falco . A further clone (c Fti 1) randomly selected from a kestrel F. tinnunculus library identified a single locus in other members of the genus and certain species of the Accipitridae. The nine loci display a mean heterozygosity of 88% and considerable allelic diversity in the peregrine and merlin. Pedigree analysis provides evidence consistent with the clustering of minisatellites in linkage groups that are conserved between species. Mutations were observed at five loci among families of peregrines and kestrels. Composite profiles produced with this suite of probes provide an excellent means of confirming identity and parentage. The use of profiling for investigating familial relationships, population dynamics and combating the illegal trade in wild falcons is discussed.