The evolution of microsatellite and mitochondrial genes of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from DNA samples taken from stratified subfossil penguin bones at penguin colonies

Serially preserved ancient DNA deposits of the penguins were able to be obtained from stratified deposits of subfossil penguin bones built up over time at penguin colonies at Cape Bird, Cape Crozier, Beaufort Island, sites in the Adelie Land Coast including Sabrina Islet, numerous sites at Cape Adare and sites in Terra Nova Bay including Seaview Bay, Northfoot Hills, Inexpressible Island, at the rear of Terra Nova Station and from Edmonson Point.

The bones were obtained by digging down into the guano and sampling the bones found at different levels. DNA was extracted from the subfossil material and using PCR and DNA sequencing, the DNA was analysed by comparing microsatellite and mitochondrial genes. Negative controls containing only soils were also collected.