Buccal swabs for amphibian genomics

What is it about?

Genetic studies require DNA samples and these usually imply long-term disturbances on animals (mutilation. etc-). We illustrate how buccal swabs, which cause miminal and temporary disturbance, offer reliable amounts of DNA and high success rates for a widely used next-generation sequencing approach (RAD-seq) on various species of European frogs and toads. Swabs thus kill two birds with one stone: getting enough DNA for state-of-the-art genomic analyses, while promoting animal welfare and de facto convincing ethical committees to deliver sampling permits. We also provide pointers for best practice in amphibian swabbing.

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