Difficulties storing and preserving tyrant flycatcher blood samples used for genetic analyses

We stored blood samples of Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) in a lysis buffer (“QLB”) that has been used successfully to preserve blood samples of many other species. We found that although samples from adults were not affected greatly, samples of nestling blood stored for more than a few days did not reliably produce the quantity and quality of DNA useful for multi-locus DNA fingerprinting. We also were unable to extract usable DNA from blood samples collected from Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) nestlings, but obtained usable DNA from blood of Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) nestlings stored for more than a year. We recommend that anyone planning DNA research with tyrant flycatchers should conduct their DNA extractions as soon as possible after collection. A pilot study to test methods of storage, preservation, and extraction may be necessary before beginning a large-scale project.