DNA fingerprinting of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina concolor): male mating behaviour may not be a reliable indicator of reproductive success

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Abstract
We describe a parternity test in a captive group of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina concolor), using two of the commonly available fingerprint probes, Jeffreys' probes 33.6 and 33.15. We show that informative DNA fingerprints can be produced from harbour seals and that band patterns are inherited in a Mendelian fashion. We also show that behavioural observations during courtship and mating may not be an effective discriminator of paternity in captive seals.

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