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Development of Molecular Markers in Spotted/Barred Owl Hybrids for Use in Forensic Law Enforcement
Completed
Northern spotted owls are hybridizing with barred owls in the Pacific Northwest, and the offspring can be difficult to distinguish from either parent species. From management , law enforcement, and research perspectives, it is important to be able to determine whether a specimen is a northern spotted owl, (a species listed under the Endangered Species Act), a barred owl (protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act), or a hybrid (protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act). The USGS has worked with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess maternal and bi-parental gene flow in the process of hybridization between northern spotted owls and barred owls. The results indicate that hybrids have unique genetic combinations, including distinct markers from both parents. The analyses also corroborate the findings of many field studies, which have indicated that most hybrids result from crosses between female barred owls and male spotted owls. These genetic markers allow scientists and managers to clearly identify these species as well as hybrids, and provide solid evidence needed in law enforcement cases.
Haig, S.M., Wennerberg, L., Mullins, T.D., Forsman, E.D., Trail, P., 2004, Genetic identification of spotted owls, barred owls, and their hybrids- Legal implications of hybrid identity: Conservation Biology, v. 18, no. 5, p. 1347-1357. [Highlight] [FullText] Catalog No: 1274
Barred Owl and Spotted Owl Hybridization - Genetic Data
Haig, Susan M. - Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist
Phone: 541-750-7482
Email: susan_haig@usgs.gov
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