Source: SEAMEO BIOTROP's Research Grant | 2015

Abstract:

                                                ABSTRACT                                                                                                                                                         Javan Rhino is the rarest among rhino species.  Current camera trapping surveys estimate a population of  around 58 individuals. Unfortunately, these 58 individuals of Javan Rhino are not genetically identified and sexually determined. Identifying sex  of individual  are an important component of species monitoring programs and conservation. This study was aimed at establishing molecular sexing of Javan Rhino based on PCR spesific DNA fragment of the zinc finger proteins ZFX and ZFY extracted from fecal sampels. Fourteen fecal samples distributed in Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) were colected and extracted. The spesific primer pair for sexing successfully amplified the fragment of the zinc finger proteins ZFX and ZFY of javan rhino.  Females had a fragment 99 bp, while males had two fragments, i.e., 99 bp and 106 bp. Fragment analysis gave result on seven males and seven females; in addition to that, their distribution in TNUK was also determined. This molecular data can be integrated with camera and video trap which can accurately identify distribution, sexing and sex ratio of rhino population. 

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