Scientists Use Mitochondrial DNA to Identify Wildlife in Trafficking Cases
Wildlife forensic scientists across India are increasingly using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a special type of genetic material found in cells, to identify animals involved in poaching and illegal trade. Experts say mtDNA has become one of the most reliable scientific tools for detecting wildlife crime, especially when samples are very old, damaged, or processed.
Why mtDNA Is Useful in Wildlife Forensics
Every animal has two types of DNA:
- Nuclear DNA – found in the nucleus.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) – found in the mitochondria, which is the cell’s powerhouse.
MtDNA is extremely helpful in wildlife investigations because:
- It exists in hundreds to thousands of copies per cell, unlike nuclear DNA which has only two copies.
- It survives longer in old, degraded, or processed samples.
- Even tiny fragments of bone, hair, skin, meat, or scales can contain enough mtDNA for analysis.
This makes mtDNA the best option when dealing with wildlife parts such as ivory, claws, bones, dried meat, traditional medicines, or confiscated powder-like material.
How mtDNA Identifies Species
Scientists usually analyze specific mtDNA gene regions such as:
- Cytochrome b (cyt b)
- Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) – also used for DNA barcoding
- Control region (D-loop)
These regions change slowly over generations, so each species has its own unique mtDNA pattern. Once the mtDNA sequence is obtained, it is compared with global genetic databases like GenBank to find a match.
This lets investigators determine:
- The species of the animal
- Whether the species is endangered or protected
- In some cases, the geographic origin of the animal
Real Impact on Wildlife Crime Detection
mtDNA has helped solve multiple cases involving tigers, leopards, elephants, pangolins, bears, deer, marine wildlife, and exotic birds.
For example:
- mtDNA tests can confirm whether seized “meat” came from a protected species.
- Powdered or broken animal parts which are often impossible to identify visually can be scientifically confirmed using mtDNA.
- Mixed items, like pangolin scales combined with other materials, can be tested to detect illegal wildlife presence.
Law-enforcement officers say this type of evidence is strong enough to present in court and helps secure convictions under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Key Advantages of mtDNA
- Works even when the sample is very old, burnt, dried, or decomposed
- Helps identify species when no visible features remain
- Requires very small sample amounts
- Has a high success rate, especially in degraded wildlife products
- Supports international trafficking investigations
Scientific Limitations
Despite its value, mtDNA cannot:
- Identify individual animals, only the species
- Distinguish between animals from the same maternal lineage
- Always resolve difficult cases if genetic databases lack sequences for rare species
However, ongoing efforts to expand wildlife DNA reference libraries are improving accuracy every year.
Future Scope
Wildlife forensic labs in India are now upgrading to faster mtDNA sequencing technologies. Portable sequencers and improved sample collection training for forest officers are expected to make mtDNA analysis even more effective.
Experts believe that as trafficking methods become more advanced, the scientific strength of mtDNA will continue to play a crucial role in protecting India’s wildlife and stopping illegal trade networks.
References
- Linacre, A., & Tobe, S. S. (2011). An overview to the investigative approach of DNA analysis in wildlife forensics. Investigative Genetics, 2(1), 1–9. (Covers mtDNA markers, species identification, and forensic workflow)
- Ogden, R. (2011). Genetic forensic identification: past, present and future. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 6(5), 441–447. (Discusses mtDNA barcoding and wildlife enforcement applications)
- Parson, W., & Bandelt, H.-J. (2007). Extended guidelines for mtDNA typing of population data in forensic science. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 1(1), 13–19. (Important reference on mtDNA analysis and interpretation)
