Sex identification of the masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) using noninvasive hair samples

Abstract

The masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) is one of the most common mesocarnivores in the mountain ecosystem of Southwest China, where mesocarnivores may play critical roles due to loss of apex predators. Given their elusive nature, genetic analysis based on noninvasive survey techniques is a promising approach to determine the population dynamics and ecological functions of masked palm civets. Here we describe a method for molecular sex identification of masked palm civets. Two pairs of primers were designed to amplify fragments of zfx and sry genes, respectively. Through PCR amplification, the expected fragments, two (123 and 244 bp) in males and one (123 bp) in females, were successfully obtained in 8 sex-known hair samples. The procedures we developed here represent a reliable method for sex identification of masked palm civets.