Erika Alacs

DNA detective: a review of molecular approaches to wildlife forensics

Illegal trade of wildlife is growing internationally and is worth more than USD

Wildlife across our borders: a review of the illegal trade in Australia

20 billion per year. DNA technologies are well suited to detect and provide evidence for cases of illicit wildlife trade yet many of the methods have not been verified for forensic applications and the diverse range of methods employed can be confusing for forensic practitioners. In this review, we describe the various genetic techniques used to provide evidence for wildlife cases and thereby exhibit the diversity of forensic questions that can be addressed using currently available genetic technologies. We emphasise that the genetic technologies to provide evidence for wildlife cases are already available, but that the research underpinning their use in forensics is lacking. Finally we advocate and encourage greater collaboration of forensic scientists with conservation geneticists to develop research programs for phylogenetic, phylogeography and population genetics studies to jointly benefit conservation and management of traded species and to provide a scientific basis for the development of forensic methods for the regulation and policing of wildlife trade.

Identifying the presence of quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) and other macropods using cytochrome b analyses from faeces

Australian flora and fauna are highly sought for the international black market in wildlife. Within Australia, trade in exotic wildlife supplies avid hobbyists. Using data on wildlife seizures by Australian Customs between 2000 and 2007 and case prosecutions from 1994 to 2007, we assessed the scale and enforcement of wildlife crime in Australia. Most seizures were minor: less than 1% resulting in prosecution of the persons involved. Of cases prosecuted, 46% were for attempted export and 34% for attempted import. Reptiles were targeted most (43%), then birds (26%), and native plants (11%). Seventy percent of prosecutions was a fine only (maximum of

Freshwater turtles of the Kikori Drainage, Papua New Guinea, with special reference to the pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta

30,000), consistently less than the black market value of the seized goods. Prison sentences increased from an average of 10 months (between 1994 and 2003) to 28 months (between 2004 and 2007). Formation of the Australian Wildlife Forensics Network and ongoing support from the Australian Federal Police for research into improved options for policing are exciting developments. Priority for effective regulation of legitimate commercial trade and effective policing of illegal trade is likely to increase in coming years as trends toward greater globalisation of commerce continue and restrictions on trade relax.

Development of microsatellite markers in the Australasian snake-necked turtle Chelodina rugusa and cross-species amplification

Non-invasive methods have the potential to circumvent problems associated with using more traditional techniques when surveying for rare and elusive species. In this study, non-invasive molecular-based methods have been used to analyse the scats of several species of marsupials. DNA was successfully extracted from scats of the quokka, Setonix brachyurus, and three other macropods (Macropus fuliginosus, M. irma and M. eugenii) sympatric with the quokka and with similar-appearing scats. Partial sequence from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from these four species and seven other macropods was used to measure genetic differentiation among them to determine whether the quokka could be unambiguously identified from the scats alone. The results confirm that molecular approaches can be used for macropod species identification using scats as the source material. The approach will have potential survey and management applications, and, more specifically, may lead to more accurate assessment of the quokkas geographic range, leading to implementation of more appropriate management strategies for its conservation.

Population genetic structure of island and mainland populations of the quokka, Setonix brachyurus (Macropodidae): a comparison of AFLP and microsatellite markers

A survey of the Kikori River drainage of the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea identified four species of freshwater turtle. The pig-nosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta and the southern New Guinea soft-shelled turtle Pelochelys bibroni are riverine species. The New Guinea spotted turtle Elseya novaeguineae lives primarily in the tidal freshwater creeks and streams, flooded sinkholes and swamps of the lowland rainforest. The New Guinea painted turtle Emydura subglobosa resides almost exclusively in forest sinkholes and swamps. Pelochelys bibroni was the least-common species, and is probably locally endangered. Greatest turtle diversity occurred in the Karst Plains of the Kikori sub-basin, where there is a greater diversity of habitat available to turtles. Lowest diversity occurred in the highlands, where turtles were present in very low density as introduced populations, brought in from the Kikori lowlands, Mount Bosavi and the Western Province by visiting relatives. Linguistic diversity concurred with turtle diversity of the regions in which the languages were spoken. C. insculpta nests both on riverine sand beaches and on coastal beaches, sand spits and isolated sand bars where the Kikori River discharges into the Gulf of Papua. Adult females and eggs of C. insculpta are harvested heavily by local people for local consumption.

Mitochondrial variation among Australian freshwater turtles (genus Myuchelys), with special reference to the Endangered M. bellii

Seventeen microsatellite loci were developed for the snake‐necked turtle, Chelodina rugosa (Ogilby, 1890). Sixteen of the loci were polymorphic but three of these loci had null alleles. One locus displayed linkage disequilibrium. These 17 markers were tested for amplification in eight congeneric species with varying success; 98% amplification in Chelodina burrungandjii, 72% in C. canni, 38% in C. expansa, 58% in C. longicollis, 67% in C. mccordi, 73% in C. oblonga, 81% in C. parkeri, and 68% in C. pritchardi. These microsatellite markers will be useful for population assignment, gene flow, mating systems and hybridization studies in the genus Chelodina.