A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications
The genus <i>Coturnix</i>, comprising migratory Old World quails, includes Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>), which are nearly indistinguishable morphologically. This similarity poses challenges in species identi...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Prateek Dey Kochiganti Venkata Hanumat Sastry Ram Pratap Singh |
| author_facet | Prateek Dey Kochiganti Venkata Hanumat Sastry Ram Pratap Singh |
| author_sort | Prateek Dey |
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| description | The genus <i>Coturnix</i>, comprising migratory Old World quails, includes Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>), which are nearly indistinguishable morphologically. This similarity poses challenges in species identification, leading to conservation issues such as the illegal trade of wild Common Quail in the name of farmed Japanese Quail. To address this issue, we employed two approaches: (1) mining species-specific short sequence repeats (SSRs) and (2) designing a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay targeting the <i>COX1</i> gene to distinguish these species. While SSR markers proved unreliable, the PCR-RFLP assay successfully distinguished between Common Quail and Japanese Quail, leveraging the unique BsaBI restriction site in the Common Quail <i>COX1</i> gene. This method demonstrated high specificity and reproducibility, offering a robust tool for forensic and conservation applications. Our findings provide a reliable, efficient, and accessible technique for wildlife managers and researchers to regulate the illegal trade of <i>Coturnix</i> quails and support conservation efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca4c9b7a7de04b18ac4d02155d054a22 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-6004 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Birds |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca4c9b7a7de04b18ac4d02155d054a222025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGBirds2673-60042025-06-01622810.3390/birds6020028A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation ImplicationsPrateek Dey0Kochiganti Venkata Hanumat Sastry1Ram Pratap Singh2Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore 641108, IndiaNational Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru 560030, IndiaDepartment of Life Science, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya 824236, IndiaThe genus <i>Coturnix</i>, comprising migratory Old World quails, includes Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>), which are nearly indistinguishable morphologically. This similarity poses challenges in species identification, leading to conservation issues such as the illegal trade of wild Common Quail in the name of farmed Japanese Quail. To address this issue, we employed two approaches: (1) mining species-specific short sequence repeats (SSRs) and (2) designing a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay targeting the <i>COX1</i> gene to distinguish these species. While SSR markers proved unreliable, the PCR-RFLP assay successfully distinguished between Common Quail and Japanese Quail, leveraging the unique BsaBI restriction site in the Common Quail <i>COX1</i> gene. This method demonstrated high specificity and reproducibility, offering a robust tool for forensic and conservation applications. Our findings provide a reliable, efficient, and accessible technique for wildlife managers and researchers to regulate the illegal trade of <i>Coturnix</i> quails and support conservation efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6004/6/2/28illegal wildlife traderestriction endonuclease assaysspecies identificationwildlife forensicsrapid identification protocol |
| spellingShingle | Prateek Dey Kochiganti Venkata Hanumat Sastry Ram Pratap Singh A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications Birds illegal wildlife trade restriction endonuclease assays species identification wildlife forensics rapid identification protocol |
| title | A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications |
| title_full | A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications |
| title_fullStr | A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications |
| title_short | A PCR-RFLP Method for Distinguishing Closely Related Common Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix)</i> and Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix japonica)</i>: Forensics and Conservation Implications |
| title_sort | pcr rflp method for distinguishing closely related common quail i coturnix coturnix i and japanese quail i coturnix japonica i forensics and conservation implications |
| topic | illegal wildlife trade restriction endonuclease assays species identification wildlife forensics rapid identification protocol |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6004/6/2/28 |
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