Philatomba monticola

P. monticola, Blue Duiker, is of special conservation concern because of its importance to the bushmeat economy across the study region. P. monticola is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa and although considered a forest taxon, also makes use of mosaic environments. P. monticola fecal pellets cannot be discriminated from those of other species in the area, necessitating our development of a molecular species diagnostic. Methods for fecal sample storage and nuclear DNA quantification of duiker feces have been optimized, and a preliminary microsatellite multiplex assembly has been developed. We have also assessed the utility of DNA barcodes to identify duikers and assessed the phylogenetic status of P. monticola to other taxa within this group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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