Data from: Sex determination in the wild: a field application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification successfully determines sex across three raptor species

PCR-based methods are the most common technique for sex determination of
birds. Although these methods are fast, easy and accurate, they still
require special facilities that preclude their application outdoors.
Consequently, there is a time lag between sampling and obtaining results
that impedes researchers to take decisions in situ and in real time
considering individuals’ sex. We present an outdoor technique for sex
determination of birds based on the amplification of the duplicated
sex-chromosome-specific gene Chromo-Helicase-DNA binding protein using a
loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). We tested our method on
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
and Black Kite (Milvus migrans) (family Accipitridae). We introduce the
first fieldwork procedure for sex determination of animals in the wild,
successfully applied to raptor species of three different subfamilies
using the same specific LAMP primers. This molecular technique can be
deployed directly in sampling areas because it only needs a voltage
inverter to adapt a thermo-block to a car lighter and results can be
obtained by the unaided eye based on colour change within the reaction
tubes. Primers and reagents are prepared in advance to facilitate their
storage at room temperature. We provide detailed guidelines how to
implement this procedure, which is simpler (no electrophoresis required),
cheaper and faster (results in c. 90 min) than PCR-based laboratory
methods. Our successful cross-species application across three different
raptor subfamilies posits our set of markers as a promising tool for
molecular sexing of other raptor families and our field protocol
extensible to all bird species.