Identification of an albino squirrel (Sciuridae) using DNA barcode (COx1) and phylogenetic analysis

An albino squirrel with white fur and red eyes is discovered in the forest of Kampung Pauh, Bukit Gantang in Perak. The lack of variety on observation such as fur color and stripes distribution making the species identification based on morphology impossible. Thus, this paper states the result of species identification using the phylogenetic analysis on the albino squirrel’s CO1 gene DNA barcoding. The research is carried out in 3 main parts which is the DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and also phylogenetic analysis. The successive extraction attempt on the the targeted DNA segment amplification through PCR. Then the barcoded sequence of the targeted DNA segment was aligned and used to synthesize a phylogenetic tree. The finding of this study shows that the albino squirrel is genetically close to the species, Callosciurus prevostii in a certain extent of similarity which is also known as the Asian tri-coloured squirrel. Finally, the finalized result of this study is able to identify the actual species of the albino squirrel. This study is believed to be able to contribute into more possibilities of genomic studies and molecular biology in future developments and applications.