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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.31.715692

Protocol for genotyping cephalopod sex using a skin swab and quantitative PCR

Montague, T. G.·Rubino, F. A.·Gibbons, C. J.·Mungioli, T. J.·Small, S. T.·Coffing, G. C.·Kern, A. D.
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Abstract

The coleoid cephalopods (octopus, cuttlefish, and squid) are emerging model organisms for neuroscience, development, and evolutionary biology. Determining their sex early in life is critical for population management and controlled experiments. Here, we present a protocol to non-invasively determine the sex of multiple cephalopod species as young as 3 hours post-hatching using a skin swab and quantitative PCR (qPCR). We describe steps for designing qPCR primers, swabbing live animals, extracting DNA, running the qPCR, and analyzing the results. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rubino et al.1 HighlightsO_LISwab live cephalopods as early as 3 hours post-hatching C_LIO_LIExtract DNA from cephalopod skin swabs C_LIO_LIPerform qPCR-based sex determination C_LIO_LIDesign and validate qPCR primers for new species C_LI Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=190 SRC="FIGDIR/small/715692v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (43K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10797f5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18961a2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@690df0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1122899_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Montague, T. G., Rubino, F. A., Gibbons, C. J., Mungioli, T. J., Small, S. T., Coffing, G. C., Kern, A. D.. 2026-04-02. Protocol for genotyping cephalopod sex using a skin swab and quantitative PCR. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.31.715692

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