DNA fingerprinting in Falconidae.

: This paper describes the use of the oligonucleotide probe (GTG)5 to reveal high polymorphic DNA regions in falcons (Falco peregrinus, F. rusticolus, F. cherrug and their interspecies hybrids). Ten microliters of the blood samples were immobilized, lysed and digested in low-melting point agarose. Oligonucleotide probe (GTG)5 gave rise to the great number of different fragments. Some of them were genus specific, another female specific and approx. 5-10% of the fragments were individual specific. Restriction endonucleases with 4 bp recognition sequences were preferred (Hinf I, Hae III and Msp I). After the use of such enzymes the DNA fingerprints were individual specific and allowed us to confirm known relations among individual birds. The results indicate, that DNA fingerprinting with oligonucleotide (GTG)5 as a probe could be a powerful method for differentiating among closely related falcon birds.