Abstract
Non-lethal sampling of DNA from honeybees is commonly required for genotyping certain behavioural traits required for breeding. One method is to use wing clippings. However, the sample is very small, and the extraction process can be difficult, resulting in low polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Here, we describe an improved method for extracting DNA from bee wings using a commercially available kit that uses bashing beads to physically break up the wings. It enabled 93% to 100% PCR amplification when amplified using microsatellite or mitochondrial primers. The results were compared with the Chelex® 100 extraction method, which, in this laboratory, resulted in only between 56% and 72% amplification in subsequent PCR.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Praveen Nair for his assistance in the laboratory. We also thank Janet Yu for letting us try the ZR bashing bead Bacterial/Fungal DNA extraction kit, which ultimately showed us how this extraction method was superior. The work was funded by Environment Canterbury (contract no. 24954) and the Sustainable Farming Fund (contract no. 24813, sustainable control of V. destructor).
Une méthode plus perfectionnée pour extraire et amplifier l'ADN provenant des ailes d'abeilles
ADN / aile d'abeille / PCR / Chelex® 100
Eine verbesserte Methode zur Extraktion und Amplifizierung von DNA aus Bienenflügeln
DNA / Bienenflügel / PCR / Mahlkugeln / Chelex® 100
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Gould, E.M., Taylor, M.A. & Holmes, S.J. A more consistent method for extracting and amplifying DNA from bee wings. Apidologie 42, 721–727 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0077-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0077-x