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Material extracted from inside the shells of nine purported Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius) eggs was subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. For each egg, partial sequences of one to three mitochondrial genes (12S, ND2, and control region) were compared with sequences derived from a Labrador Duck specimen and representatives of several other waterfowl species. Sequences from six eggs were consistent with those of the Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), whereas the sequences from one egg was most consistent with that of the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). The remaining two eggs yielded sequences consistent with that of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) or a domestic duck. Regrettably, none of the eggs provided additional information about the breeding grounds of the extinct Labrador Duck. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DNA extraction and amplification from old eggshells of birds. Received 30 October 2005, accepted 27 August 2006. Key words: Camptorhynchus labradorius, DNA analysis, eggs, Labrador Duck. Le materiel extrait de la paroi interieure des coquilles de neuf oeufs presumes provenir de Camptorhynchus labradorius a ete soumis a l'extraction d'ADN et a l'amplification en chaine par polymerase (PCR). Pour chacun des oeufs, des sequences partielles d'un a trois genes mitochondriaux (12S, ND2 et region de controle) ont ete comparees avec des sequences derivees d'un specimen de Camptorhynchus labradorius et des representants de plusieurs autres especes de sauvagine. Les sequences de six oeufs correspondaient h celles de Mergus serrator, alors que les sequences de l'un des oeufs correspondaient davantage a celles de Somateria mollissima. Les deux oeufs restants ont produit des sequences correspondant celles d'Anas platyrhynchos ou d'un canard domestique. Malheureusement, aucun des oeufs n'a fourni d'information additionnelle sur les aires de reproduction de Camptorhynchus labradorius, une espece maintenant disparue. D'apres nos connaissances, ceci est la premiere mention de l'extraction et l'amplification d'ADN partir de vieilles coquilles d'oiseaux.

Described are the techniques and results of using this tissue culture activity. Discusses the advantages of using such techniques in teaching alternation of generation life cycles to biology students. (CW)

In songbirds, song is a culturally transmitted trait. A geographically isolated population may also be isolated culturally, with few immigrants to introduce novel song variants. If so, an isolated population may show less variation in song among males. Montane white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) breeding in the Cypress Hills of Alberta and Saskatchewan are separated from other breeding populations by 250 km of grassland habitat, unsuitable for breeding by this species. Recordings of 51 males in the Cypress Hills showed very little variation in song among males. These results were compared to less isolated populations of the same and different subspecies of white-crowned sparrow. In general, the songs of Z. leucophrys oriantha populations studied showed less variation among males in such attributes as complex syllables and terminal trills than populations of either Z. leucophrys gambelii or Z. leucophrys pugetensis white-crowned sparrows. It is not clear whether song stereotypy in the Cypress Hills is a result of cultural isolation or is an attribute of the subspecies. Songs of the Cypress Hills population have been sampled four times in 22 years. Although the local song type has survived essentially unchanged, one phrase is now different in all males recorded. This population-wide change occurred over an interval of less than 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]