Informative Relevance of 11 Microsatellite Loci for Forensic DNA-Identification of Wild and Farm American Minc (<i>Mustela vison</i>) in Belarus

Abstract

American mink is involved in economic activity of the Republic of Belarus since it belongs to resource hunting species as well as breeds for fur production. We propose identification test system consisting of 11 microsatellite DNA loci designed for forensic investigation of cases of illegal hunting and animals stealing for precious furs. Informative relevance of the test system studied using two samples of farm minks and a sample from a wild population of M. vision geographically isolated from fur farms. The significant genetic differences between wild and farmed minks (Fst = 0.04397, P 0.05) showed with random match probabilities of 11-locus genotypes calculated with and without taking into account the Fst value differing by two orders (1.84 × 10–8 and 1.39 × 10–10 respectively). As concerned to forensic DNA analysis, the reference databases should be formed for wild and farm animals separately.