A simple automated approach to obtain DNA from capercaillie, brown bear and wolf faeces

In this study we tested a newly-developed instrument (an automatized DNA extractor MAxWell16-Promega), in order to test if DNA isolation can be performed more efficiently on feacal samples collected from three different species: bears, wolfs and capercaillies. We also evaluate a simple method for samples preservation in the field, which include the preservation of faeces in vials filled with ethanol (90%). This method we have used is fast and simple. The time spent for isolating DNA from each batch of 16 samples is approximately 38 min, no further processes needed. The extracted DNA can be used immediately in the downstream analyses. No further wash of the samples, or other purification method is needed. The DNA should not be diluted for the amplification step, likewise the PCR product is not recommended to be diluted for the fragment analysis step.