Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2000

A PCR amplification technique was used to allow sexing of the Philippine eagles at any stage of development. Twenty four eagles in captivity at the Philippine Eagle CCenter of various ages (2-37 years old) were subjected to DNA sexing. Fractions of the sex-linked genes. CHD-W and CHD-Z, of each individual were amplified. DNA sexing gave a 100% confirmation to the assigned sexes of the eagles, which were obtained through morphometric analysis. Eleven were found to be females and thirteen were found to be males. Females revealed two distinct bands (236bp and 214bp in size) while the males revealed only one band of 239bp. The results showed that the PCR amplification of the CHD gene fractions of the Philippine eagle is effective in determining their sexes. To determine the genetic diversity among the samples, five RAPD primers (OPA20, OPB1, OPB12, OPC2 and OPC13) were used to generate 69 RAPD markers, with lengths varying between 9,000 to 130bp. OPB1 generated the largest band (8,976bp) from Freedom and Marikit, while OPB12 generated the smallest band (134bp) from Gloria Victoria, Freedom, and Magiting. Banding patterns between parents and offspring and among the siblings showed high variability. The band sharing frequency (BSF) matrix was obtained and revealed that Jag and Ka Brianne, parents of 7 eagles, had the largest BSF (0.8889). BSF values between Jag?s and Ka Brianne, and their offspring were variable ranging from 0.1538 to 0.6829. BSF values between the offspring ranged from 0.0909 to 0.6087. Among Junior?s offspring, BSF values ranged from 0.2609 to .07636. The average BSF for the 24 Philippine Eagles was estimated as 0.4684, indicating low genetic variability within the population