Additional information on Meloidogyne inornata Lordello, 1956 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) and its characterisation as a valid species

Nematology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina M.D.G. Carneiro ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Mendes ◽  
Maria Ritta A. Almeida ◽  
Marcilene F.A. dos Santos ◽  
Ana Cristina M.M. Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tail Length ◽  
Original Description ◽  
The Body ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Stylet Length ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract A root-knot nematode parasitising yakon (Polymia sonchifolia) in São Paulo State, Brazil, is identified as Meloidogyne inornata. The species is redescribed from this material and compared with the original description of M. inornata. The female perineal patterns have a distinct, high, dorsal arch composed of smooth to wavy striae, similar to Meloidogyne incognita. The female stylet is 15.0-17.0 μm long with the cone generally slightly curved dorsally and with well developed knobs. DGO is 3.5-4.5 μm. Males have a high, rounded, head cap that is continuous with the body contour and has a large, round, centrally concave, labial disc raised above the medial lips. The head region is never marked by incomplete annulations and the stylet is robust, 20.0-25.0 μm long, with a straight cone, cylindrical shaft with several small projections and pear-shaped, backwardly sloping knobs. The stylet length of second-stage juveniles is 10.0-13.0 μm, DGO is 2.5-3.5 μm, tail length is 35.0-58.0 μm and c = 6.7-13.9. Biochemically, the esterase phenotype I3 (= Y3) is species-specific and is the most useful character for differentiating M. inornata from other Meloidogyne species. Reproduction is by mitotic parthenogenesis, 3n = 54-58. In a soybean test, cv. Abura was susceptible and cv. LA411219 was highly resistant. As the type material is lost, a neotype female is formally designated.

Additional information on Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead, 1968 (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae), a root-knot nematode parasitising kiwi fruit and grape-vine from Brazil and Chile

Nematology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Carneiro ◽  
Onivaldo Randig ◽  
Maria Ritta Almeida ◽  
Ana Cristina Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Tail Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Kiwi Fruit ◽  
Grape Vine ◽  
Labial Disc ◽  
Meloidogyne Ethiopica

Abstract A root-knot nematode parasitising kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa) in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil and grape-vine (Vitis vinifera) in Chile, is identified as Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead, 1968. The species is redescribed from this new material and compared with the type description of M. ethiopica and another population of the species from Kenya. The female has an oval to squarish perineal pattern with a moderately high to high dorsal arch, smooth, widely spaced striae, and no 'shoulders'. The head region is set off with an elevated squarish labial disc, usually marked by annulations, and the stylet is 12-15 μm long, the cone usually being slightly curved dorsally and the shaft gradually widening posteriorly to near the junction with the rounded stylet knobs. The DGO is 3.0-5.0 μm behind the knobs. The male has a high, rounded head cap which is continuous with the body contour and has a distinct labial disc, almost circular to hexagonal in shape, and distinctly separated from the medial lips. The stylet is robust, 23-27 μm long with a straight cone and a cylindrical shaft widening slightly near its junction with the basal knobs which are smooth, round to pear-shaped and backwardly sloping. The stylet length of the second-stage juvenile is 11-14 μm, the DGO is 2.0-3.0 μm behind the knobs and the tail length is 52-72 μm. Biochemically, the esterase phenotype E3 ( Ki3) is species-specific and is the most useful character for differentiating M. ethiopica from other species. Reproduction is by mitotic parthenogenesis, 2n 36-38. In a differential host test, populations of M. ethiopica reproduced on tomato, tobacco, pepper and watermelon. No reproduction occurred on cotton or peanut. Using the PCR-RAPD analysis to compare populations from Brazil, Chile and Kenya, a low proportion of polymorphic fragments (about 17.7%) was detected and the isolates clustered together with high bootstrap support (100%), thus confirming that all three populations are very similar and apparently conspecific.

Meloidogyne izalcoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a root-knot nematode parasitising coffee in El Salvador

Nematology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adan Hernandez ◽  
Regina Carneiro ◽  
Ana Cristina Gomes ◽  
Maria Ritta Almeida
Keyword(s):  
El Salvador ◽  
Ventral Side ◽  
The Body ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Female Head ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Labial Disc ◽  
Esterase Phenotype

AbstractA new root-knot nematode parasitising coffee in the region of the Izalco volcano, Sansonate, El Salvador, is described as Meloidogyne izalcoensis n. sp. The suggested common name is El Salvador coffee root-knot nematode. The perineal pattern is characterised by the moderately high to high, squareish to rounded, dorsal arch, striae coarse, smooth to wavy, sometimes zigzaggy, usually without a distinct whorl, and similar to that of M. incognita and M. paranaensis. The female head region set off from body, sometimes annulated, and the labial disc has two prominent elevations or bumps on the ventral side that are slightly raised above the medial lips. The female stylet is robust, 15.0-16.0 μm long and with the DGO at 4.5-6.0 μm posterior to the knobs. Males have a high, round, head cap continuous with the body contour and the labial disc is fused with the medial lips to form an elongated structure. The head region is never marked by incomplete annulations. The stylet is robust, 23.0-26.0 μm long, and has rounded, backwardly sloping, knobs with the DGO located at 4.0-7.0 μm posteriorly. The stylet of second-stage juveniles is 12.0-13.0 μm long and the DGO is located 3.0-4.0 μm posterior to the stylet base; the tail is 45-48 μm long, conoid, with a rounded terminus. Biochemically, the esterase phenotype I4 (= Sa4) (Rm: 0.86, 0.96, 1.24, 1.30) is unique and is the most useful character to differentiate M. izalcoensis n. sp. from all other species.

First report of, and additional information on, Meloidogyne konaensis (Nematoda: Meloidogyninae) parasitising various crops in Brazil

Nematology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 831-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M.S. Monteiro ◽  
Juvenil E. Cares ◽  
Ana Cristina M.M. Gomes ◽  
Valdir R. Correa ◽  
Vanessa S. Mattos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Original Description ◽  
Esterase Isozyme ◽  
Isozyme Electrophoresis ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Esterase Pattern ◽  
Pharyngeal Gland ◽  
Stylet Length ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Meloidogyne Konaensis

In a survey for Meloidogyne spp. in different crops from 11 regions in Ceará State, Brazil, using esterase isozyme electrophoresis as a specific identification method, four atypical populations were characterised from cabbage, papaya, noni and canapum plants, all of which showed an esterase profile different from those previously detected in Brazil. Morphological studies showed typical characteristics of Meloidogyne konaensis. Perineal patterns of females were variable, similar to M. arenaria and M. incognita, stylet length 14-20 μm. In females, the knobs gradually merged with the shaft and the dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice (DGO) ranged from 4 to 7 μm. Although males are not frequently found, the stylet morphology provides the most useful source of diagnostic character for the species, having 6-12 large projections protruding from the shaft. The esterase pattern K3 is unique and species-specific with three major bands Rm 1.0, 1.17, 1.27 and a secondary band Rm 1.10. Some confusion about the true identity of this species was clarified in this study, including differentiation from M. paranaensis. A species-specific SCAR marker developed for M. paranaensis was tested and no amplification products were observed. In Neighbour-Joining analyses of ITS and D2-D3 rRNA sequences, M. konaensis from Brazil appeared clearly separated from M. paranaensis. Pathological tests indicated that coffee is not a host of M. konaensis as previously reported in the original description of this species.

Meloidogyne luci n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), a root-knot nematode parasitising different crops in Brazil, Chile and Iran

Nematology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina M.D.G. Carneiro ◽  
Regina M.D.G. Carneiro ◽  
Valdir R. Correa ◽  
Regina M.D.G. Carneiro ◽  
Valdir R. Correa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Differential Host ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Pharyngeal Gland ◽  
Labial Disc ◽  
Rrna Sequences ◽  
Esterase Phenotype

A new root-knot nematode parasitising vegetables, flowers and fruits in Brazil, Iran and Chile, is described as Meloidogyne luci n. sp. The female has an oval to squarish perineal pattern with a low to moderately high dorsal arc and without shoulders, similar to M. ethiopica. The female stylet is robust and 15-16 μm long; the distance from the dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice to the stylet base (DGO) is 3-4 μm. Males have a high, rounded head cap continuous with the body contour. The labial disc is fused with the medial lips to form an elongated lip structure. The head region is not marked by incomplete annulations. Male stylet robust, 20.8-23.0 μm long with rounded knobs; the DGO is 2.5-4.5 μm. The stylet of second-stage juveniles (J2) is 12.0-13.5 μm long and the DGO to the stylet base is 2.3-3.3 μm. The J2 tail is conoid with finely rounded terminus and is 40.0-48.5 μm long. Biochemically, the esterase phenotype L3 (: 1.05, 1.10, 1.25) is unique and is the most useful character to differentiate M. luci n. sp. from all other Meloidogyne species. Reproduction is by mitotic parthenogenesis (2n = 42-46 chromosomes). In a differential host test, the population from Lavandula spica, Caxias do Sul, RS State, Brazil, reproduced on tomato cv. Rutgers, tobacco cv. NC95 and pepper cv. California Wonder. No reproduction occurred on watermelon cv. Charleston Gray, cotton cv. Deltapine 61 or peanut cv. Florunner. In Neighbour-Joining analyses of ITS and D2-D3 rRNA sequences, populations of M. luci n. sp. from Brazil, Chile and Iran clustered together and were clearly separated from other Meloidogyne spp., thus confirming that all three populations are very similar and conspecific.

scholarly journals Intra-specific morphological and morphometric variability of Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) Thorne, 1949

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 841-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Roy ◽  
K Roy ◽  
S. Sarkar ◽  
A Rathod ◽  
J. Hore
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Radopholus Similis ◽  
Body Width ◽  
Head Region ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
Lateral Field ◽  
Oesophageal Gland ◽  
Morphometric Features ◽  
Basal Bulb ◽  
Stylet Length

All the root inhabiting migratory endoparasitic nematode populations of Radopholus procured from banana crop of Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala were identified as Radopholus similis. Heat killed females were straight to slightly ventrally curved posteriorly. Female’s head was low, rounded, continuous or slightly setoff with the body contour. Females were 500-660 µm long and were comparatively longer than males. Males had button shaped head set off by a constriction; female with three to five lip annuli, four crenate and areolated lateral incisures, stylet 14-18 µm long with rounded knobs, vulva post-equatorial (58%), sometimes with slight protuberant lips, ovary paired and equally developed, oesophageal gland overlapped the intestine dorsally, tail elongate-conoid with narrowly rounded terminus. The stylet length (µm), width of stylet knob (µm), distance of excretory pore from anterior end (µm), distance from head to basal bulb (µm), lateral field structure, shape of stylet knob, head region, position of phasmid, tail shape with its terminus, morphometric values like m%, o% and v% and a, c and c´ ratios of females were stable (CV<12%) features. There is an existence of intra-specific variability in the morphological and morphometric features of R. similis. The main morphological diversity was observed with P% of male and female, b ratio of female and stylet length, distance of DEGO from stylet base, o% and T% of male. All the root inhabiting migratory endoparasitic nematode populations of Radopholus Thorne, 1949 procured from banana of Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala were identified as Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) Thorne, 1949. A high degree of intra-specific morphometric variability was observed with regard to the total body length (µm), body width (µm), stylet length (µm), distance of dosrsal oesophageal gland orifice (DEGO) from stylet base (µm), number of lip annuli, lip height (µm), distance from head to basal bulb (µm), distance of anus from anterior end (µm), tail length (µm), anal body width (µm), distance of phasmid from tail terminus (µm), number of lateral lines, width of lateral field (µm), b ratio and P % among females of R. similis. Morphometric features like m%, o% and v% of females of R. similis showed least variability. These can be considered as the stable morphometric characters for discrimination of females of R. similis. Ratios like ‘a’ and ‘c’ of females of R. similis were found moderately variable. The morphometric feature and of male i.e. distance from head to basal bulb (µm) was found least variable; while number of lip annuli and spicule length (µm) were moderately variable.  

scholarly journals Molecular and morphological characterisation of Rotylenchus vitis n. sp. (Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae) infectinggrapevine in southern Spain

Nematology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Cantalapiedra-Navarrete ◽  
Gracia Liébanas ◽  
Antonio Archidona-Yuste ◽  
Juan E. Palomares-Rius ◽  
Pablo Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Species Differentiation ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Morphological Characterisation ◽  
Pharyngeal Region ◽  
Stylet Length

Rotylenchus vitis n. sp., a new amphimictic species infesting soil and roots of commercial vineyards in southern Spain, is described. Rotylenchus vitis n. sp. is characterised by a truncate lip region with 7-9 annuli and continuous with the body contour, lateral fields areolated at pharyngeal region only, body without longitudinal striations, stylet length of 36-48 μm, vulva position at 47-57%, tail rounded to hemispherical with 13-21 annuli. Morphologically, this species is related to R. cazorlaensis, R. capitatus, R. elegans, R. fabalus, R. iranicus, R. labiodiscus, R. montanus and R. troncapitatus. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the D2-D3 expansion regions of the 28S and ITS1-rRNA genes confirmed the species differentiation and the close molecular relationship between R. eximius and R. montanus, respectively.

scholarly journals First Report of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii Parasitizing Watermelon from Veracruz, Mexico

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ramírez-Suárez ◽  
L. Rosas-Hernández ◽  
S. Alcasio-Rangel ◽  
T. O. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
First Report ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Meloidogyne Enterolobii ◽  
Stylet Length

In early April 2012, a sampling of watermelon crop Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai, 1916 cv. Sunsugar took place as part of the National System of Epidemiological Phytosanitary Surveillance (SINAVEF-MEX). This sampling was conducted at Riachuelos locality, Tecolutla, Veracruz, located at the geographic coordinates: 20.42008° N and 96.9627° W, within 50 meters of the Gulf of Mexico. Plants showed yellowing, stunting, and high levels of infection expressed by extensive galling on the roots. These symptoms were reproduced in the greenhouse on watermelon cv. Sunsugar. Egg masses were extracted to obtain juveniles (J2). Female necks and perineal patterns were mounted as well as males and J2 to take measurements of selected morphometric characters. To determine the nematode identity based on a morphological species concept, the following characters were considered. Females: stylet length, DGO and perineal pattern; males: stylet length; J2: body, stylet, tail, and hyaline tail terminus length. The morphometric analysis showed that those values corresponded to the original description of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii Yang & Eisenback, 1983 (=M. mayaguensis Rammah & Hirschmann, 1988) (1,2,3,4). For confirmation of this finding, a molecular diagnosis was performed using markers located in rDNA and mtDNA by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The rDNA region analyzed was the expansion segments D2-D3 of the 28S gene (primers D2A and D3B). This produced an amplified product of 780 bp. With regard to mtDNA, an amplification of the marker located between the genes COII/16S (primers C2F3 and 1108) resulted in a fragment of 705 bp that is specific for M. enterolobii (1). Sequences of the amplified products were compared with sequences from GenBank (NCBI). The sequences of both markers exhibited 99 and 100% identity with sequences corresponding to M. enterolobii isolates from Florida, Puerto Rico, and China. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees of rDNA and mtDNA sequences demonstrated that the Mexican isolate of M. enterolobii grouped among other isolates exclusive of other Meloidogyne species. The detection of this nematode in Veracruz, Mexico, expands the previously known worldwide distribution. It represents a serious threat due to the high level of aggressiveness shown in watermelon, which was so severe that growers had to change to a different crop. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the root-knot nematode M. enterolobii infecting watermelon cv. Sunsugar in Veracruz, Mexico. References: (1) J. Brito et al. J. Nematol. 36:232, 2004. (2) G. Karssen et al. ZooKeys 181:67, 2012. (3) A. Rammah and H. Hirshmann. J. Nematol. 20:58, 1988. (4) B. Yang and J. Eisenback. J. Nematol. 15:381, 1983.

scholarly journals ГЕОМЕТРИЧЕСКИЕ ПАРАМЕТРЫ ЯИЦ В СИСТЕМАТИКЕ ПТИЦ

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (03) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
I. S. Mityay ◽  
A. V. Matsyura
Keyword(s):  
Complex Traits ◽  
Comparative Anatomy ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
The Body ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Bird Eggs ◽  
Species Specific

<p>Our ideas are based on the following assumptions. Egg as a standalone system is formed within another system, which is the body of the female. Both systems are implemented on the basis of a common genetic code. In this regard, for example, the dendrogram constructed by morphological criteria eggs should be approximately equal to those constructed by other molecular or morphological criteria adult birds. It should be noted that the dendrogram show only the degree of genetic similarity of taxa, therefore, the identity of materials depends on the number of analyzed criteria and their quality, ie, they should be the backbone. The greater the number of system-features will be included in the analysis and in one other case, the like are dendrogram. In other cases, we will have a fragmentary similarity, which is also very important when dealing with controversial issues. The main message of our research was to figure out the eligibility of usage the morphological characteristics of eggs as additional information in taxonomy and phylogeny of birds.</p> <p>Our studies show that the shape parameters of bird eggs show a stable attachment to certain types of birds and complex traits are species-specific. Dendrogram and diagrams built by the quantitative value of these signs, exhibit significant similarity with the dendrogram constructed by morphological, comparative anatomy, paleontology and molecular criteria for adult birds. This suggests the possibility of using morphological parameters eggs as additional information in dealing with taxonomy and phylogeny of birds.</p> <p><em>Keywords: oology, geometrical parameters of eggs, bird systematics</em></p>

scholarly journals First Report of Meloidogyne arenaria Parasitizing Lettuce in Southern Spain

Plant Disease ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 975-975
Author(s):  
P. Castillo ◽  
B. B. Landa ◽  
J. A. Navas-Cortés ◽  
N. Vovlas ◽  
R. M. Jiménez-Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Meloidogyne Arenaria ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Sequence Characterized Amplified Region ◽  
Stylet Length ◽  
Dorsal Gland

During the 2005-2006 autumn to winter lettuce-growing (Lactuca sativa cv. Iceberg) season, severely stunted and yellowing lettuce plants with disease incidence ranging from 80 to100% were observed in four commercial, fall-sown fields at Almodóvar del Río (Córdoba Province) in southern Spain. Early symptoms consisted of severely reduced growth of the plants that continued with extensive leaf yellowing and the absence of tight-head formation. Attacks by the disease were estimated to cause near complete loss of the crop yields since the lettuce head produced in affected fields were unmarketable. Observations of affected lettuce plants revealed high parasitism of the root system by a root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) in the main and feeder roots as well as heavy soil infestations by the nematode. The nematode was identified by the female perineal pattern, esterases phenotype, and a sequence-characterized amplified region polymerase chain reaction (SCAR-PCR) technique (1,2,4). Measurements and morphological observations of 20 second-stage juveniles (J2s) (body length = 463 ± 28 μm, dorsal gland orifice from stylet base = 2.8 ± 0.6 μm, stylet length = 10.4 ± 0.5 μm, tail length = 54.4 ± 0.6 μm; hyaline tail terminus = 9.4 ± 0.6 μm) and 10 adult females (stylet length = 14.5 ± 0.7 μm, dorsal gland orifice from stylet base = 4.7 ± 0.5 μm, and perineal pattern with low and rounded dorsal arch with coarse striae) conformed to the description of Meloidogyne arenaria (3). On the basis of the characteristics of the perineal pattern, the 2-band esterase phenotype, and the 420-bp SCAR fragment, the causal agent was identified as the peanut root-knot nematode M. arenaria. Nematodes were extracted from soil and root samples by standard procedures and their populations quantified. M. arenaria was detected in nearly all soil and root samples assessed, with nematode population densities ranging from 206 to 1,072 eggs and J2s per 5 g of fresh roots. Different Meloidogyne spp. have been reported parasitizing lettuce roots, especially M. hapla in northern areas (2); however, to our knowledge this is the first time that M. arenaria is reported parasitizing lettuce roots in Spain and elsewhere. References: (1) P. R. Esbenshade and A. C. Triantaphyllou. J. Nematol. 22:10, 1990. (2) N. A. Mitkowski et al. Plant Dis. 86:840, 2002. (3) K. J. Orton Williams. Meloidogyne arenaria. CIH Descriptions of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes. Set 5, No. 62. Commonwealth Institute of Helminthology, St. Albans, 1975. (4) C. Zijlstra et al. Nematology 2:847, 2000.

scholarly journals Towards Forensic DNA Phenotyping for Predicting Visible Traits in Dogs

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 908
Author(s):  
Cordula Berger ◽  
Josephin Heinrich ◽  
Burkhard Berger ◽  
Werner Hecht ◽  
Walther Parson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
The Body ◽  
Blind Test ◽  
Dna Profile ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Coat Pattern ◽  
Two Stages

The popularity of dogs as human companions explains why these pets regularly come into focus in forensic cases such as bite attacks or accidents. Canine evidence, e.g., dog hairs, can also act as a link between the victim and suspect in a crime case due to the close contact between dogs and their owners. In line with human DNA identification, dog individualization from crime scene evidence is mainly based on the analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) markers. However, when the DNA profile does not match a reference, additional information regarding the appearance of the dog may provide substantial intelligence value. Key features of the dog’s appearance, such as the body size and coat colour are well-recognizable and easy to describe even to non-dog experts, including most investigating officers and eyewitnesses. Therefore, it is reasonable to complement eyewitnesses’ testimonies with externally visible traits predicted from associated canine DNA samples. Here, the feasibility and suitability of canine DNA phenotyping is explored from scratch in the form of a proof of concept study. To predict the overall appearance of an unknown dog from its DNA as accurately as possible, the following six traits were chosen: (1) coat colour, (2) coat pattern, (3) coat structure, (4) body size, (5) ear shape, and (6) tail length. A total of 21 genetic markers known for high predicting values for these traits were selected from previously published datasets, comprising 15 SNPs and six INDELS. Three of them belonged to SINE insertions. The experiments were designed in three phases. In the first two stages, the performance of the markers was tested on DNA samples from dogs with well-documented physical characteristics from different breeds. The final blind test, including dogs with initially withheld appearance information, showed that the majority of the selected markers allowed to develop composite sketches, providing a realistic impression of the tested dogs. We regard this study as the first attempt to evaluate the possibilities and limitations of forensic canine DNA phenotyping.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document