Forensic Identification of Four Indian Snake Species Using Single Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Among different endangered animal species,snakes are the most neglected creature looked at with apathy and therefore,are ruthlessly killed,illegally trafficked,and poached for their venom,lucrative skin,meat,and bones for manufacturing of medicines,accessories,and food items.Establishing the identity of the endangered snake species is important for punishing the offenders under Wildlife Protection Act(WPA)(1972)but morphological characters fail to establish identity as they are often altered.The technique of identification of snake species at molecular level holds very effective conclusion in punishing offender.Here,we have constructed and demonstrated a novel multiplexing polymerase chain reaction technique,using 16S rRNA and C-mos gene for identification of four Indian snake species,namely Ptyas mucosa,Daboia russellii,Naja naja,and Xenochrophis piscator.They are listed in Appendix-II and III of convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora and Schedule II;Part II of Indian WPA,1972.Therefore,it may be considered a functional tool for establishing species-specific identity of four Indian snake species and promising to be useful for their conservation.

Asian Crocodile Poaching:A Review of Molecular Techniques Developed for Forensic Identification

Crocodiles,gharials and alligators(order Crocodilia),are aquatic reptiles that live in the tropics of Asia,America,Africa,and Australia.Asian countries such as India,Indonesia,Malaysia,and tropics of Australia are the stronghold of the family Crocodylidae.Among all 23 crocodile species,nine species occur in Asia and its surroundings,including the only member of Gavialidae and Alligatoridae family.They are“mugger”or“Crocodylus palustris,”“saltwater crocodile”or“Crocodylus porosus,”“Philippine crocodile”or“Crocodylus mindorensis,”“New Guinea crocodile”or“Crocodylus novaeguineae,”“Siamese crocodile”or“Crocodylus siamensis,”“gharials”or“Gavialis gangeticus,”“false gharial”or“Tomistoma schlegelii,”and“Chinese alligator”or“Alligator sinensis.”All of these species have been encompassed in“Appendix I”and“Appendix II”of the“Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,”which prevents any kind of trade involving crocodilian species.However,it has been observed that these crocodiles are illegally poached and trafficked for their lucrative skin,meats,eggs,snouts,and bones in medicinal and cosmetic industries.Although many molecular biologists have come forward for the conservation of these species,lack of knowledge about the available,fast,and dependable techniques makes it difficult for forensic identification of seized or confiscated.It has been a major problem for the implementation of the“Wildlife Protection Law”on illegal trade.This article focuses on molecular techniques developed till date for the rapid and reliable species identification and conservation study of them.

Application of Molecular Markers in Wildlife DNA Forensic Investigations

Wildlife DNAForensic isthe application of regular DNAforensic methodsfor proper identification of wildlife parts and their products.Recent advances in molecular genetic studies have generated a new and exciting range of possible applications of genetic methods to wildlife research,conservation,and management.These advances have led to an explosion in genetic research on wildlife for their identification at molecular level and have increased interest among researchers working in other scientific disciplines for application of genetic technology in wildlife DNAforensic field.Different molecular markers have been developed and being routinely used for analysis,such as nuclear markers(variable number of tandem repeats,single-nucleotide polymorphisms),mitochondrial markers(cytochrome b,cytochrome c oxidase subunit I,16S rRNA,12S rRNA,and D‑Loop)and microsatellites.As soon as,a case is reported under Wildlife Protection Act(1972)the case exhibits are sent to forensic laboratories for proper analysis of species for appropriate application of law.