DNA barcoding as a tool for robust identification of cervids of India and its utility in wildlife forensics

DNA barcoding has become a popular method of choice for identification of specimen based on molecular techniques. Here, we present preliminary findings on generating robust DNA barcode library of Cervids of India. The dataset comprising the DNA barcode library of seven deer species included in the genus Cervus, Axis and Muntiacus classified under family Cervidae. Mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I gene of ca. 710 bp accepted widely as DNA barcode region, was used for generating species specific signature from 31 known samples of seven Indian deer species. Expectedly, the NJ tree clustered three genera i.e. Cervus, Axis and Muntiacus of Cervids of India into three clades. Further, the intra- and interspecies distances based on Kimura 2 parameter model also supported the results. The average intra- and interspecies sequence divergence were 0.011 (±0.09) and 0.65 (±0.14), respectively. The present study has exhibited that DNA barcoding has discriminating power to delineate boundaries among the closely related species. The data generated are of high importance to the law enforcement agencies in effective identification of species in wildlife offence cases. The similar approach can be utilized for generating DNA barcodes for other Indian mammals for making effective management and conservation action decisions.