Possible chinks in the crocodile armour: Defining skin microflora
Crocodiles are iconic Australian animals. They are also the source of fine, hard wearing leather prized by the world’s leading fashion houses. The commercial crocodile...
132 pages
Published: 1 Oct 2004
Author(s): Isbert, By S., et al.
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Production from farmed crocodile for the skin trade is an emerging industry that began in the mid-1980s. Research to improve the efficiency of crocodile production has so far concentrated on management -related practices, such as nutrition and housing, with a notable exception of research in the area of genetics. This publication examines a practical genetic improvement program for immediate adoption by the Australian crocodile industry, to be called CrocPLAN. Recommendations and current limitations of CrocPLAN are discussed as well as the assessment of a parentage testing kit using microsatellite markers providing a means for pedigree verification and a method of expanding the genetic improvement program beyond unitised breeding pens. 2004, Pub. No. 04/147, 130pp, $21