HÁJKOVÁ, Petra, Barbora ZEMANOVÁ, Kevin ROCHE and Bedrich HAJEK. An evaluation of field and noninvasive genetic methods for estimating Eurasian otter population size. Conservation Genetics. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2009, vol. 10, No 6, p. 1667-1681. ISSN 1566-0621. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-008-9745-4.
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Basic information
Original name An evaluation of field and noninvasive genetic methods for estimating Eurasian otter population size
Authors HÁJKOVÁ, Petra (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Barbora ZEMANOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Kevin ROCHE and Bedrich HAJEK.
Edition Conservation Genetics, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2009, 1566-0621.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10603 Genetics and heredity
Country of publisher Netherlands
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
Impact factor Impact factor: 1.849
Organization unit Faculty of Science
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-008-9745-4
UT WoS 000272374100004
Keywords in English Lutra lutra; Abundance; Noninvasive genetic sampling; Faecal DNA; Capture-mark-recapture; Snow tracking
Tags rivok
Tags International impact, Reviewed
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. Marie Šípková, DiS., učo 437722. Changed: 15/6/2020 12:36.
Abstract
Successful conservation and management of rare and elusive species requires reliable estimates of population size, but acquisition of such data is often challenging. We compare the two most frequently used methods of assessing abundance of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) populations, noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) based on genotyping of faeces and field surveys using snow tracking. In a 100-km(2) oligotrophic otter habitat with linear water bodies, both methods yielded very similar estimates (10-12 individuals). However, in a 100-km(2) fishpond area, consisting of a complex network of rivers, fishponds, channels and marshes, genotyping of faeces revealed the presence of a higher number of individuals (46-50 genotypes) than the snow survey (38 individuals). NGS data analysed by capture-mark-recapture (CMR)-based software CAPWIRE provided even higher estimates, being twice the number assessed through snow tracking (76-81 individuals, CI(95%) = 49-96 and 55-89). Our results suggest that the performance of both NGS and snow tracking is comparable in simple linear habitats, but in complex habitats with very high otter density a combination of genetic and field methods, or CMR analysis using genetic data, is recommended. We emphasise that to obtain reliable estimates using NGS it is necessary to follow strict protocols for detection and elimination of genotyping errors. Based on a literature review and our experience, we suggest improvements that may increase the success rate and efficiency of NGS for otters.
Links
LC06073, research and development projectName: Centrum pro výzkum biodiverzity
Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Biodiversity Research Center
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