PARENTAGE VERIFICATION OF A MOUNTAIN ZEBRA (EQUUS-ZEBRA-HARTMANNAE) USING POLYMORPHIC MICROSATELLITE MARKERS

The Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) has been classi fied by the IUCN as a vulnerable species. Approximately 300 individual s, maintained in toes throughout Europe and the United States of Ameri ca, are being managed as part of a captive breeding program. An Intern ational Studbook is maintained for the Hartmann's mountain zebra at Ma rwell Zoological Park, UK. Despite the use of a variety of means to id entify each individual in a captive herd, confusion sometimes occurs, resulting in the misidentification of an animal. Here we report the fi rst application of DNA typing, using polymorphic microsatellite loci, to resolve a misidentification involving two female Hartmann's mountai n zebra. This case demonstrates the way in which genetic tests derived from a related domesticated species may be used as an effective tool for captive management. Further, this case highlights the need to be a ble to conclusively identify captive individuals and to maintain accur ate pedigree information for successful captive management. (C) 1995 W iley-Liss, Inc.