We describe a fast and reliable genetic method for sexing Neotropical canids by high resolution melting analysis of amplicons obtained by real time polymerase chain reaction. We used a primer set that amplifies a 195 bp fragment of the ZFX and ZFY genes to determine the sex of pampas fox (Pseudalopex gymnocercus), crab eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), and domestic dog (Canis familiaris). This new method is useful, fast and reliable for sexing of noninvasively obtained samples with low DNA quality and quantity. This protocol could be easily modified to sex non-invasive samples of other canid species.
