RAUK - Archived Forum - Common lizard samples

I have just started a PhD at QueenÆs University Belfast under the supervision of Drs. Pete Laming and Paulo Prod÷hl investigating the distribution, reproduction and phylogeography of the common lizard (Lacerta vivipara) in Northern Ireland. For the phylogeographic part of my research, I require tissue samples from lizards from different parts of Britain. These would ideally be the last 2-3mm of the tail tip (i.e. non-destructive sampling), but could be any tissue from which DNA could potentially be extracted (e.g. skin sloughs, clipped toes, ethanol preserved specimens etc.) I would, therefore, kindly ask if anyone would be able to provide such samples, preserved in ethanol if at all possible. I am willing to supply the materials (i.e. vials containing DNA preserving buffer) as well as the postage costs needed for their transport to Belfast.

Many thanks,

Aodan Farren

Aodßn

Very happy to help out from the Surrey/Hants. border area. Drop me an email (link on signature).

Happy to post stuff at my cost, tho would need vials and buffer. Sight of eventual results would be appreciated too :P

I can supply sloughed skin from various locations around Southern England & East Anglia through this coming survey season. Not sure I would be undertaking any toe or tail clipping - as I would suspect that this would require a home office license - if any tails are loss during any capture works during the summer I can supply these

JC  

Could we have clarification regarding tail and toe clipping as to whether or not a home office license would be required?

I would be prepared to undertake clippings and apply for a license to do so if necessary.

I would also be supplying samples from Southern England and East Anglia collected during the coming season. I can post at my expense but would need preserving vials.

Email: gemma@herpetofauna.co.uk

Hrm..I was thinking only of sloughs for myself. Come across plenty in the field.

Some advice as to age/condition of suitable sloughs would help tho :P

At this rate, the poor chap will be assessing samples all year :P

I think that DNA could possibly be extracted from quite old skins - I do also think that we would need to be licensed to take tail or toe clips - so it would be best to provide sloughs -

It is a PhD study so th emore samples from the UK the better I would imagine -

I would not mind taking small non-harmful clippings of animals that were for example being captured in any case for mitigation purposes, to complement any sloughs collected. I do not find many L.v sloughs in a season in comparison to the relatively huge numbers of lizards observed.

Aodan, is home office licensing something you could look into? I am not sure if it would be possible to apply for a single license for the project or if those collecting clippings would need to apply personally.

Thanks to all for replying. Toe-clipping and tail sampling are regulated procedures and do need a Home Office licence. I'm applying for the project and personal licences at the minute. Gemma, my supervisor is going to check with our Home Office inspector to see whether it would be possible to add you onto the project licence, but you would need a personal licence, so you'd need to have the Home Office training course certificate to get that. If it's easier I'm very happy with sloughs as DNA can be extracted from these. For this study geographical coverage is more important than numbers or the age class of the lizard. I'll sort out the preserving vials this week and will make contact with you all to send them out.

Thanks a lot, Aodan