Abstract
Sex identification is a problem in research and conservation. It can often be solved using a DNA test but this is only an option if a sex‐specific marker is available. Such markers can be identified using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. This is usually a taxonomic method, as it produces a DNA fingerprint of 50–100 PCR bands. However, if male and female AFLP products are compared, sex‐specific markers are confined to the heterogametic sex and can rapidly be identified. Once a marker is found, AFLP can be used to sex organisms directly or the marker can be sequenced and a standard PCR test designed.