TDK conference 2018

The revealed genetic diversity of wild boars is important both for conservation genetic as well as forensic aspects, providing informative tool for investigation high number of poaching cases. In such type cases, comparative genetic examination of residues at the crime scene (e.g. carcass) and belongings of the alleged offender is often necessary. Examination of the mtDNA control region (D-loop) by short overlapping sequences, even degraded and/or minimal amount of samples can be analysed successfully. Determination of sequence variance in maternal haplotypes by specific primers can identify the species origin and maternal lineage of unknown specimen in parallel. However, the correct interpretation of matching requires statistical evaluation of results based on genetic database of the given population when is available.

As initial establishment of our genetic database 28 wild boar samples were collected and sequenced, including 660 bp length of the mtDNA control region. Based on sequential differences different haplotypes were identified and statistically analysed to estimate the diversity of the Hungarian wild boar population.

In parallel we developed a new conventional sequencing strategy for examination of small amount and fragmented DNA samples. New primer pairs were designed to amplify short (about 150 bp long) overlapping sections of the target control region. Case related DNA samples, which were analysed earlier insufficiently were applied for the sensitivity test, and for estimation of putative applicability of this method in the field of forensic genetics.