A single multiplex of twelve microsatellite markers for the simultaneous study of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and the mountain hare (Lepus timidus)

The management of hunted species is challenging, as it must conciliate the conservation of species and their sustainable exploitation. Non-genetic tools are widely used in this context but they may present limitations notably when species can hybridize or when large-scale spatial monitoring is required to establish optimal management actions. This is why genetic tools have been more and more integrated in wildlife management practices. However, the markers proposed are often amplified in small multiplexes when larger ones could allow to better cope with the small quantities of DNA obtained with non-invasive sampling methods. Here, we propose a unique multiplex of 12 autosomal microsatellite markers for the study of two hare species that exist in sympatry in some areas in Europe and are hunted notably in France: the brown hare Lepus europaeus and the mountain hare L. timidus. We tested 17 markers previously used in these two species or other lagomorph species, from which 12 were included...

狩猎物种的管理颇具挑战，因其需要兼顾物种保护与可持续开发利用。非遗传工具在此类场景中应用广泛，但存在一定局限——尤其当物种可能发生杂交，或需要开展大规模空间监测以制定最优管理方案时。正因如此，遗传工具正愈发多地被整合进野生动物管理实践当中。然而，现有可用的分子标记（marker）往往仅能在小型多重PCR扩增体系（multiplex）中完成扩增，而更大规模的多重PCR扩增体系则可更好地适配非损伤性采样（non-invasive sampling）所获取的微量DNA样本。本研究针对欧洲部分区域存在同域分布、且在法国等地区被广泛狩猎的两种兔属物种，开发了一套包含12个常染色体微卫星标记（microsatellite marker）的专属多重PCR扩增体系，用于相关研究：这两种物种分别为欧洲野兔（*Lepus europaeus*）与雪兔（*L. timidus*）。研究团队先对此前在这两种兔属物种或其他兔形目物种中使用过的17个标记进行了筛选测试，最终纳入其中12个……