Study on the PCR Method Specific for Tiger Identification

For develpment a PCR specifically amplifying DNA of tiger species, which could be applied to tiger species identification for doubtful samples or unable recognized products obtained in field investigation or forensic tests, mtDNA Cty b sequences of 5 tiger subspecies and 6 other cat species as well as 6 deer species were downloaded from Genbank, and compared by Wdnasis V(2.5) software. Considering the essential doctrine of designing PCR primers, two regions in which all tigers share an unique hyplotype against other species were selected to design a pair of primers (Primer 1,2) to amplify a tiger Cty b fragment specifically. PCR tests were performed with DNAs extracted from muscle, visceral tissues, skins or hairs of Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), South-China tigers(Panthera tigris amoyensis) and 6 other feline species and 6 non-feline species using this primer set. The results indicated that the primers are specific to tiger DNA and identification of tiger species by this means is accurate, sensitive, reproducible and reliable.