DNA Fingerprinting and Paternity Assessment in Non-Human Primates

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The genome (the total of all genes in an organism) is much more variable than was thought a decade or two ago. This variability has led to the testing of gene loci to determine those which demonstrate a large number of alleles, none of which occur at high frequency. Such loci are used as "fingerprints" to distinguish individuals from each other and, because of their heritability, they are exceptionally useful in determining paternity. Thus, DNA fingerprinting is a relatively new and innovative technique that allows for identifications of parentage with an unprecedented degree of statistical confidence. Using DNS fingerprinting the investigators will determine paternity within captive populations of several species of nonhuman primates, and from a zone of hybridization of two species of baboons. The data generated in this study will allow for more efficient management of primate colonies by avoiding inbreeding, and will provide a tool for the investigation of a variety of questions relating kinship and selection, kin selection, dominance and reproductive success. The ability to identify parentage, especially paternity, is important in the management of primate colonies, and in field research on nonhuman primates.