rebecca johnson - opening plenary
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TRANSCRIPT
Can DNA Barcoding help stop the budgie
smugglers? The future of barcoding as a
crime fighting tool in wildlife forensics
Rebecca N. Johnson, Andrew King, Robert Mason
Australian Museum Genetics Laboratory
iBOL November 28th 2011
Case Study: The Case of the
Budgie Smuggler!!
But budgies
aren’t listed on
CITES?!
Photo © Australian Museum
Founded 1827
Current site 1857
The Australian Museum –
our 1st museum
• Systematics and
Biodiversity Research
• Conservation
genetics
• Population genetics
• Phylogenetics
• Wildlife Forensics
Wildlife Forensic Science at the
Australian Museum - Sydney
Wildlife forensic science –
What is it?
• Wildlife crime (flora, fauna)
• Management decisions
• Society for Wildlife Forensic Science-Sept 2009
• Non-human forensic work in Australia is
not handled by law enforcement
authorities
Vouchered specimens
from the AM collection
Photos © Australian Museum
An excellent source of
validated reference
material
>18 million specimens
Morphological Wildlife forensic
science
DNA-based Species Identification
- CITES species - Quarantine
Photo © Australian Museum
The utility of DNA Barcoding for
Wildlife Forensic Science
• Voucher specimens, sequence
quality, assessment of variation
(intraspecific/interspecific)
• Standardized practices, protocols,
gene regions
The utility of DNA Barcoding for
Wildlife Forensic Science
• Standardized practices –
combined with good taxonomy
• Validated gene regions -
Probability:
False –ve / False +ve
True –ve / True +ve
• High node support value ->
likelihood species match
10
CRollandi
Pbankanens
Pvaiuli
Pbrachiali
99
Aleucogast
Aaureus
Prepom5a
Prepom5b
96
92
99
100
58
Ccyanea
Pomacentri
Pcoelestis
78
100
unknown
The utility of DNA Barcoding for
Wildlife Forensic Science
• Voucher specimens, sequence
quality, assessment of variation
(intraspecific/interspecific)
• Standardized practices, protocols,
gene regions
• WF Science – a young discipline
Case Study: Fish tissue identification
2006 a Single case from NSW waters:
• 87 shark fins = MNI 22 sharks
• DNA analysis required for species ID
Australian Legislation – shark fins
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/ALIR-4YB2L3?open#SharkFinRemoval
• Removal of fins at sea and
torso discarded (can be alive)
• Indiscriminate taking of
species, size, gender and age
‘Shark-finning’
WPY 2010: “Desecration in Paradise” by Thomas Haider, Austria
• Typically white cartilaginous
• Most expensive part of the animal
Shark fin product
Case Study: Fish tissue identification
Following DNA analysis:
1. Spinner Sharks (x2 Near threatened)
2. Dusky Whalers (x2 Vulnerable)
3. Tiger Shark (x1 Near threatened)
4. Blue Sharks (x9 Vulnerable)
5. Shortfin Makos (x8 Near threatened)
© Rob Harcourt
© Rob Harcourt
Case Study: Fish tissue identification
Single case from NSW waters:
• Guilty pleas
• Charges: Contravene condition of fishing
concession (Fisheries Management Act Cth
1991)
• Conviction recorded
• Fines of AUD$23,100
Case Study: R v Della Zuana
Photo © Australian Customs Service 2006
Identification of
eggs smuggled
into Australia
Eggs were irradiated due to
high quarantine risk
Photos © AFP
R v Della Zuana - DNA analysis:
1. DNA obtained despite irradiation
2. Eggs found to be from 6 different parrot species and one species of cockatoo:
• 21 eggs from family Psittacidae (6 spp.)
• Assorted Macaw’s and African grey Parrots
• 2 eggs from family Cacatuidae (1 sp)
• Salmon-crested Cockatoo (CITES I) © Parrots of the World 2nd Ed
R v Della Zuana - Result
• The accused pleaded guilty to charges
of illegal importation (brought under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act, Cth 1999) for import and trade in CITES
listed endangered species.
• The accused was sentenced to 2 years
in jail and $10,000 fine.
• He was deported upon release.
Can DNA Barcoding help stop the
budgie smugglers?
• A maturing discipline
• Standardised practises
• New techniques
• Deterrent - Cruel, costly, endangers
species’ survival, threatens biodiversity
• Australian Museum: Cassie Vockler, Amanda Hay,
Mark McGrouther
• Australian Customs Service: Jeff Vandamme, Mick
O’Malley
• NSW Fisheries: Brendan Sinnett, Peter Chan
Acknowledgements:
