Texas Hunting Forum

Where to get DNA testing done.

Posted By: TonyinVA

Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/14/15 10:23 PM

Can anyone recommend any laboratories that do DNA testing on wild animals. Specifically want to DNA test to see what results show on a huge coyote that was shot here in VA. See link below.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5645501/Huge_Coyote#Post5645501
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/14/15 10:45 PM

Here is one company but not sure they would be able to do what you are wanting.
https://www.dnasolutionsusa.com/
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/14/15 10:50 PM

Originally Posted By: stxranchman
Here is one company but not sure they would be able to do what you are wanting.
https://www.dnasolutionsusa.com/


Looks like they test to identify a specific animal by its DNA.

I did some Goggling found two universities that did wolf X coyote DNA testing for some studies and also found a private firm.
Posted By: nsmike

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/14/15 11:01 PM

Try UCal-Davis link They can do it, but I don't know if they need to do a custom test or just a standard test, interpreted against their canine diversity data base.
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/14/15 11:35 PM

Originally Posted By: nsmike
Try UCal-Davis link They can do it, but I don't know if they need to do a custom test or just a standard test, interpreted against their canine diversity data base.


That was one of the ones I found.... they actually have a wolf-dog hybrid test (see link below) I had already emailed them.

https://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/wolf.php
Posted By: nsmike

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/14/15 11:49 PM

My point is if your looking for coyote/dog/wolf mixing, I know they can do it, but it may need to be specially ordered. They should have the data base, but I don't know if ordering a standard test, will get them to specifically identify coyote/other.
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 12:10 AM

Well...I am curious what the big coyote has in his pedigree..hopefully we'll find out.
Posted By: blackcoal

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 01:04 AM

You might check with the local Petsmart in your area, I know they refer DNA to an independent lab that can test as to the pedigree of dogs and possibly as to canines in general. Quick phone call would find out if they can, and if not someone in your area.
Posted By: dogcatcher

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 03:14 AM

I would check with any local Veterinarian, they probably could tell you if a local or close Vet school that might have the facilities for testing.
Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 06:19 AM

If taken in northern Virginia, you probably don't need a dna test for a safe assumption of your yote having wolf dna. It is a common dna makeup of the population there.

http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/jmammal/92/5/1070.full.pdf

http://www.easterncoyoteresearch.com/downloads/CoywolfTaxonomy&BodyMassCFN2013.pdf
Posted By: kyle1974

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 02:09 PM

Jerry Springer used to be a pretty good resource for DNA testing.
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 02:52 PM

We are going to start by contacting the Wildlife Departments at VATECH and have then help locate a lab since we want a very good lab to do the work.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.
Posted By: Kbar Ag Service

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 03:59 PM

Dr Phylis Canion is the lady that had the Cuero Chupacabra years ago. I think Texas State University did some research on it. My Dad loaned her a live chicken trap for the documentary they filmed on it a few years ago.
I need to go by her office and see about getting it back. Do you want me to see if she used an independent lab or what her process was?
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 04:51 PM

Originally Posted By: Kbar Ag Service
Dr Phylis Canion is the lady that had the Cuero Chupacabra years ago. I think Texas State University did some research on it. My Dad loaned her a live chicken trap for the documentary they filmed on it a few years ago.
I need to go by her office and see about getting it back. Do you want me to see if she used an independent lab or what her process was?


Can't hurt but I think we are covered....I emailed a few people including one who is connected with the Smithsonian. PM me if you get anything good.

As an aside, what we really want to know is if that 82 pound coyote was a HUGE naturally occurring coyote-wolf hybrid which is the case for most Eastern Coyotes (Coyote x Great Lakes Wolf) or if it was an escaped wolf-dog hybrid that someone intentionally bred and escaped. The fact that it was running with other normal sized coyotes seems to rule out the wolf-dog hybrid. That said, the size is unusually large.
Posted By: Kbar Ag Service

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/15/15 04:54 PM

Ill try to get by there tomorrow.
Posted By: Sniper John

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/16/15 04:38 AM

I remembered a big coyote talked about on the forums a few years ago. I found it. In Nov 2010 a hunter killed a 104 lb Coyote in Missouri. Believed to be a wolf when turned over to the Missouri Dept of Conservation, but DNA testing showed it to be a coyote.
http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/hunter-shoots-unusually-large-coyote-northwest-missouri
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2010/12/20/104-pound-coyote-shot-in-missouri/

here have also been an occasional 80+ pound Wolfs killed in Missouri as well that were mistaken for Coyotes. Believed to have migrated from the Great Lakes States same as the Virginia hybrids.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/canine-shot-in-se-mo-confirmed-as-wolf/23923908

Which brings up a point. Whoever shot that dog, probably does not want it's DNA to show up as a migrant Wolf. It would be taken from him.
Posted By: jdickey

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/17/15 06:56 PM

One of the best in the country is the Department of Animal, Rangeland, and Wildlife Sciences at Texas A&M - Kingsville.
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/17/15 10:54 PM

Originally Posted By: jdickey
One of the best in the country is the Department of Animal, Rangeland, and Wildlife Sciences at Texas A&M - Kingsville.


jdickey,
Almost all universities do some type of DNA testing/sequencing....the trick is finding one that can do wolves and coyotes. For example, the Smithsonian referred me to UCLA.....and several other universities and private companies I contacted can do dogs or some dog and "wolf" ..... but when I asked about coyote, wolves and possibly dogs.....they said no.

If you have a contact name at Kingsville please PM me.
Posted By: breadman

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/18/15 12:48 AM

keep us all updated , this could get interesting !
Posted By: TonyinVA

Re: Where to get DNA testing done. - 03/18/15 02:45 AM

Originally Posted By: breadman
keep us all updated , this could get interesting !


There are a lot of us curious about what we find...I promise to post the results whatever they are. Be aware that it is going to take a while. Finding a lab that can do wolf, coyote and dog is not as easy as I thought. I am hopeful that the lead at UCLA will pan out. I need to try and contact him tomorrow.
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