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Ok so I have had a burning question for a while, and a friend reminded me and sparked my question again. How do we know the “dna tested” jalu is a true jalu? Seeing some posts lately it really brings that question up, and their differences. As we had discussed before what we have for info is an old museum sample. Is there any evidence out there that it had been DNA sequencing done on it? I do know all of the species done so far, none of which are New Caledonia species. So there is such a thing as partial DNA, however very few species have even had this done.
Dr. Wiseman said,
“Unfortunately, the technology is not quite so simple in herps, as the DNA portions of the chromosomes that determine the sex are not as easily identified as they are in avian species. To determine the DNA sequencing of herps would require some sort of grant or funding in order to study the chromosomes and genes in order to identify the portions involved with determining sex.
At this time, the only herps that can be sexed by DNA analysis are green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), according to an employee at Zoogen, a well-known company that performs DNA sexing of many avian species.
Until DNA sexing becomes commercially available for the reptile species, we will need to rely on other methods of sexing herps.”
So since we know NC isn’t keen on us going out and doing testing on them, we don’t have blood samples from what would be considered a control group. For those who don’t know what a control is, it is the known factor. Since in captivity we can’t even prove the locales of our chahouas, we can’t dismiss the fact they could potentially be hybrids themselves between jalu and chahoua. So using captive animals without known harvest locations, and testing them against the wild population, we have no true control group.
So basically I am asking of those people who have DNA tested their animals, can you please shed more light on the subject for us. Have you had partial DNA tests done on multiple animals? Have you cross referenced them to hybrids? Have you dna tested “PI” and “GT”? Have you cross referenced it with blood samples from other possible jalu, because just a couple of animals doesn’t make an adequate study group size. Lastly, do you have the analysis from the lab? Remember just saying so and so did it isn’t going to fly in a community of scientists.
Not trying to disprove anyone, having a science background myself these are questions I would love to see answers to, and hopefully better understand the difference between them. I know as a whole this info would greatly help the community.
Dr. Wiseman said,
“Unfortunately, the technology is not quite so simple in herps, as the DNA portions of the chromosomes that determine the sex are not as easily identified as they are in avian species. To determine the DNA sequencing of herps would require some sort of grant or funding in order to study the chromosomes and genes in order to identify the portions involved with determining sex.
At this time, the only herps that can be sexed by DNA analysis are green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), according to an employee at Zoogen, a well-known company that performs DNA sexing of many avian species.
Until DNA sexing becomes commercially available for the reptile species, we will need to rely on other methods of sexing herps.”
So since we know NC isn’t keen on us going out and doing testing on them, we don’t have blood samples from what would be considered a control group. For those who don’t know what a control is, it is the known factor. Since in captivity we can’t even prove the locales of our chahouas, we can’t dismiss the fact they could potentially be hybrids themselves between jalu and chahoua. So using captive animals without known harvest locations, and testing them against the wild population, we have no true control group.
So basically I am asking of those people who have DNA tested their animals, can you please shed more light on the subject for us. Have you had partial DNA tests done on multiple animals? Have you cross referenced them to hybrids? Have you dna tested “PI” and “GT”? Have you cross referenced it with blood samples from other possible jalu, because just a couple of animals doesn’t make an adequate study group size. Lastly, do you have the analysis from the lab? Remember just saying so and so did it isn’t going to fly in a community of scientists.
Not trying to disprove anyone, having a science background myself these are questions I would love to see answers to, and hopefully better understand the difference between them. I know as a whole this info would greatly help the community.
Hope I helped.