DNA Identification of Rhinoceros Horn — ASN Events
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  2. Poster Session
  3. DNA Identification of Rhinoceros Horn

DNA Identification of Rhinoceros Horn (#218)

Kyle M Ewart 1 , Rebecca Johnson 2 , Claire Wade 3
  1. Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics, Sydney, NSW
  3. Australian Museum Research Institute, Sydney, NSW

Rhino numbers have dwindled over the past century; 3 of the 5 species are considered critically endangered, 1 species is vulnerable and 1 species is near threatened1,8. Much research has been conducted on the possible solutions in managing rhino populations. Poaching is found to be the biggest threat to rhinos and it has increased dramatically over the past decade due to the growing demand in Asia8. The numerous factors of poaching must be managed – this includes DNA forensics.
The first part of the project will be to design a simple and reliable DNA test which can identify the species a rhino horn belongs to; this includes rhino horn products such as horn powder, dagger handles etc. A seized horn sample could then undergo a simple species ID test that will provide fast and reliable results2. Previous research has already identified regions of DNA that can be utilized to identify the species of the sample6,7. One of the Australian Museum's roles is to assist customs departments in the identification of confiscated items. This species ID test will give the museum a means to achieve this and will allow the persecutors of these seized horns to be charged accordingly as different charges may be handed down depending on what species of rhino horn has been seized. This test will also provide an insight into what species are being poached; management of poaching can consequently be improved.
The next aspect of the project will consist of individualization research; this involves identifying a rhino horn on an individual basis. This would permit a rhino horn to be matched up with the rhino specimen it was taken from5. It will also give an insight into the genetic diversity within and between rhino populations. Genetic diversity data allows informative decisions in the management of conservation units and breeding programs3,4,11. The project will involve designing improved microsatellites that can be added to the existing sets of microsatellites for rhinos5,9,10. These existing sets of markers are predominantly made up of di-nucleotide repeats which have a large stutter (~40%) making them quite unreliable. Improved microsatellites will include tri- and tetra-microsatellites which are much more reliable and hence will improve individualization analysis.

  1. Amin, R., et al. (2006). "An overview of the conservation status of and threats to rhinoceros species in the wild." International Zoo Yearbook 40(1): 96-117.
  2. Cooke, G., et al. (2012). "A rapid molecular method to detect the invasive golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822)." Conservation Genetics Resources 4(3): 591-593.
  3. de Groot, P. J. V. C., et al. (2011). "Conservation genetics of the black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis bicornis, in Namibia." Conservation Genetics 12(3): 783-792.
  4. Fernando, P., et al. (2006). "Genetic diversity, phylogeny and conservation of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)." Conservation Genetics 7(3): 439-448.
  5. Harper, C. K., et al. (2013). "Extraction of nuclear DNA from rhinoceros horn and characterization of DNA profiling systems for white ( Ceratotherium simum) and black ( Diceros bicornis) rhinoceros." Forensic Science International: Genetics 7(4): 428-433.
  6. Hsieh, H.-M., et al. (2003). "Species identification of rhinoceros horns using the cytochrome b gene." Forensic Science International 136(1): 1-11.
  7. Linacre, A. and S. S. Tobe (2011). "An overview to the investigative approach to species testing in wildlife forensic science." Investigative genetics 2(1): 2.
  8. Milliken, T. and J. Shaw (2012). The South Africa - Viet Nam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus: A deadly combination of institutional lapses, corrupt wildlife industry proffessionals and Asian crime syndicates. Johannesburg, South Africa, TRAFFIC.
  9. Nielsen, L., et al. (2008). "Characterization of microsatellite loci in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum): their use for cross-species amplification and differentiation between the two species." Conservation Genetics 9(1): 239-242.
  10. Scott, C. A. (2008). "Microsatellite variability in four contemporary rhinoceros species: implications for conservation."
  11. Willerslev, E., et al. (2009). "Analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes from extinct and extant rhinoceroses reveals lack of phylogenetic resolution." BMC evolutionary biology 9(1): 95.