Genetic Identification of Eggs Purportedly From the Extinct Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus Labradorius)

Abstract Material extracted from inside the shells of nine purported Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius) eggs was subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. For each egg, partial sequences of one to three mitochondrial genes (12S, ND2, and control region) were compared with sequences derived from a Labrador Duck specimen and representatives of several other waterfowl species. Sequences from six eggs were consistent with those of the Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), whereas the sequences from one egg was most consistent with that of the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). The remaining two eggs yielded sequences consistent with that of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) or a domestic duck. Regrettably, none of the eggs provided additional information about the breeding grounds of the extinct Labrador Duck. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DNA extraction and amplification from old eggshells of birds. Identification génétique d'œufs présumés provenir de l'espèce disparue Camptorhynchus labradorius