Integrating multiple genetic detection methods to estimate population density of social and territorial carnivores

Abstract

Spatial capture-recapture models can produce unbiased estimates of population density, but

Comparison of grizzly bear hair‐snag and scat sampling along roads to inform wildlife population monitoring

“…Rub tree estimates alone were lower than hair-snag estimates and the joint use of rub tree and hair-snag data increased overall population estimate precision. Similarly, integrating hair rub pads and scat transect data improved population density estimate precision using SECR methods for coyotes Canis latrans in Louisiana (Murphy et al 2018). Combining techniques comes with challenges of required resources, but could be a way to address estimate precision issues when monitoring small populations and low-density areas.…”

Substantial red wolf genetic ancestry persists in wild canids of southwestern Louisiana

“…We used 54 scat and 16 hair samples that were collected noninvasively from individual canids in southwestern Louisiana during December 2015 to February 2016 via systematic scat transects and hair rub pads in a capture‐recapture framework (Murphy, Augustine, Adams, Waits, & Cox, ). The probability of identity for siblings ( P ID(sibs) ) for nine nDNA microsatellite loci was calculated for those 70 samples by Murphy et al.…”

“…The probability of identity for siblings ( P ID(sibs) ) for nine nDNA microsatellite loci was calculated for those 70 samples by Murphy et al. () using GenAlEx v6.5 (Peakall & Smouse, ); five loci were required to differentiate between individuals ( P ID(sibs) = 0.0082), so samples were considered as originating from the same individual if they matched at more than five loci. A matching analysis identified 32 individuals from those 70 scat and hair samples (Murphy et al., ).…”

“…We used 54 scat and 16 hair samples that were collected noninvasively from individual canids in southwestern Louisiana during December 2015 to February 2016 via systematic scat transects and hair rub pads in a capture-recapture framework (Murphy, Augustine, Adams, Waits, & Cox, 2018b). The probability of identity for siblings (P ID(sibs) ) for nine nDNA microsatellite loci was calculated for those 70 samples by Murphy et al (2018b) using GenAlEx v6.5 (Peakall & Smouse, 2012); five loci were required to differentiate between individuals (P ID(sibs) = 0.0082), so samples were considered as originating from the same individual if they matched at more than five loci. A matching analysis identified 32 individuals from those 70 scat and hair samples (Murphy et al, 2018b).…”

“…The probability of identity for siblings (P ID(sibs) ) for nine nDNA microsatellite loci was calculated for those 70 samples by Murphy et al (2018b) using GenAlEx v6.5 (Peakall & Smouse, 2012); five loci were required to differentiate between individuals (P ID(sibs) = 0.0082), so samples were considered as originating from the same individual if they matched at more than five loci. A matching analysis identified 32 individuals from those 70 scat and hair samples (Murphy et al, 2018b). We augmented that data set with tissue samples collected from six dead canids (killed in vehicle collisions or by government biologists as part of coyote control efforts [Leblanc et al, 2016]) in southwestern Louisiana during the same time period.…”