Peters, CatherineNelson, HowardRusk, BonnieMuir, Anna2019-10-302019-10-302019-10-24Peters, C., Nelson, H. P., Rusk, B., Muir A. P. (2019) A novel method to optimise the utility of underused moulted plumulaceous feather samples for genetic analysis in bird conservation. Conservation Genetic Resources, 12, 457–4671877-725210.1007/s12686-019-01117-8http://hdl.handle.net/10034/622766This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Conservation Genetics Resources. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12686-019-01117-8Non-invasive sampling methods are increasingly being used in conservation research as they reduce or eliminate the stress and disturbance resulting from invasive sampling of blood or tissue. Here we present a protocol optimised for obtaining usable genetic material from moulted plumulaceous feather samples. The combination of simple alterations to a ‘user-developed’ method, comprised of increased incubation time and modification of temperature and volume of DNA elution buffer, are outlined to increase DNA yield and significantly increase DNA concentration (W = 81, p <0.01, Cohens’s d= 0.89). We also demonstrate that the use of a primerless Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique increases DNA quality and amplification success when used prior to PCR reactions targeting avian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). A small amplicon strategy proved effective for mtDNA amplification using PCR, targeting three overlapping 314-359bp regions of the cytochrome oxidase I barcoding region which, when combined, aligned with target-species reference sequences. We provide evidence that samples collected non-invasively in the field and kept in non-optimal conditions for DNA extraction can be used effectively to sequence a 650bp region of mtDNA for genetic analysis.Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Non-invasive samplingFeather samplesPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)Primerless PCRmtDNASmall amplicon strategyArticle1877-7260Conservation Genetic Resources