GENETIC-VARIATION IN CAPTIVE KOALAS (PHASCOLARCTOS-CINEREUS) - PARENTAGE DETERMINATION AND INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION

Highly repeatable randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers we re developed for parentage studies in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereu s). Of the 25 RAPD primers screened, 5 (20.0%) produced 32 repeatable polymorphic RAPD bands (average/primer = 6.4 +/- 4.2). A high level of polymorphism was observed for each group of koalas (Featherdale, 71.9 %; Lone Pine, 84.4%). All 25 koalas could be uniquely identified using either RAPD or microsatellite markers. Of the 32 RAPD markers generat ed in koalas, 25 were informative for parentage analyses. These RAPD m arkers successfully determined both parents to three offspring and a m ale parent to a fourth offspring. Paternity analysis (where the female parent is known) succeeded in assigning the correct male parent to se ven offspring. Our RAPD-PCR method generates informative genetic marke rs that are useful for parentage determination and individual identifi cation of captive koalas. This would provide genetic analysis to toes and wildlife parks as a low-cost alternative to the more expensive mic rosatellite markers.