A simple and cost-effective test for sex identification in edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus inexpectatus) and plume-toed swiftlet (Collocalia affinis)

Existing molecular methods of sex identification have mixed success in different classes of birds. We report a new multiplex PCR method for sex identification based on CHD1gene using the P8/P2 and the 2550F/2718R primers. The new multiplex PCR approach successfully identified sex (two bands in female, single band in male) in edible-nest swiftlet (ENS) (Aerodramus fuciphagus inexpectatus) and plume-toed swiftlet (PTS) (Collocalia affinis). The new approach required agarose gel electrophoresis to resolve multiplex PCR products. The simplicity, speed and low cost make this method an adaptable molecular tool for sex identification in ENS and PTS with a possibility in other bird species.