The Feasibility of Using RAPID to Determine Nestling Parentage
of Bald Eag1es in the Great Lakes Region

Cindy Ethier

Schoo1 of Science and Natural Resources
Lake Superior State Vnversity
Sault Ste Marie Michigan 49783 USA


Abstract

	The bald eagle population has been flounshing in North America since the mid
1970's. However research indicates lower productivity for eagle in the Great Lakes
region when compared to those of the interior. Possible causes include lower life
expectancy due to chemically laden prey or the eagles not returning to the same nesting
areas each year. Random Amplification Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a fingerprinting
method which can be utilized to determine nestling parentage among years. This would
inform researchers about repeated use of nesting sites by the same eagles. RAPD analysis
is based on random amplification of genomic DNA ftagments using short primers of
arbitrary sequences. The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility of usin~
RAPD in a population study and to determine sibship among a sample ofeagles in the
Lower Peninsula. DNA was isolated from ten samples ofeagle blood. These samples
were then analyzed using twenty different primers obtained by Operon Technologies. The
RAPD process indicated three matches; primers 1, 6, and 8. A second trial was performed
to test the reproducibility ofthe RAPD method. No matches were obtained. A ditferent
annealing temperature was used which could have influenced the results. The limited
resources avaiiable prevented any turther trials. Despite some difficulties, the three
matches obtained indicate that RAPD could be used in a population study. Determining
sibship was not possible in this study. Further research is required to find more matching
primers before parentage can be determined.

Selected References

Fox Glen A.  "What Have Biomarkers Told Us About the Effects of Contaminants
on the Health of Fish-eating Birds in the Great Lakes?" Journal of Great Lakes
Resources. 1993. pp.722-736.

Robyt John F. and Bernard J . White. Biochemical Techniques Theory and Practice.
Waveland Press 1987. pp.353-360.

Williams, John G.K. DNA Polymorphisms Amplified by Arbitrary Primers are Useful
as Genetic Markers. Nucleic Acids Research. vol. 18, no. 22 1990.
pp. 6531-6535.