DNA sexing of Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) based on amelogenin genes

Nowadays, forensic and wildlife research, especially the Sumatran tiger needs further research with a molecular approach. Molecular approaches are needed for forensic and wildlife research including for sex identity. This study used the amelogenin gene as a marker for identification based on previous studies of Felidae species. The sample used consisted of 10 blood samples from Sumatran tigers of known sex were collected by the Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PRHSD), one hair sample, and two bone samples whose sex was unknown were collected from Natural Resources Conservation Center West Sumatra (BKSDA). The PCR results of the amelogenin gene of the Sumatran tiger confirmed the sex of 10 samples of known sex’s Sumatran tiger (Four male samples and six female samples), and Three samples of unknown sex were identified as females. Male was characterized by the electrophoresis appearance of two bands, while in female’s only one band, with PCR product sizes of at least 190 bp for AMELY and at least 210 bp for AMELX.