The use of fecal and hair samples in study of brown bear populations | Využitie vzoriek trusu a srsti pri štúdiu populácií medveďa hnedého
2009
Straka, M., Technical University in Zvolen (Slovak Republic). Faculty of Forestry | Finďo, S., Národné lesnícke centrum, Zvolen (Slovak Republic) | Štofík, J. | Paule, L.
This paper presents preliminary results of study of brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in Western Carpathians using fecal and hair samples. Noninvasive samples are suitable for individual identification, sex determination, and study of migration as well as estimate of population size without need to catch and even disturb the animal. We used 13 nuclear microsatellite markers and sex specific marker for identification of brown bear individuals in two different regions of Slovakia: 1) Poľana and Veporské vrchy Mountains and 2) National Park Poloniny. Genotyping errors were detected and eliminated by software RELIOTYPE. We used different approaches to calculate the population size estimate. In first study area we identified 32 different individuals. Population size estimate calculated by 3 different approaches were: 156 (Kohn method), 63 (Eggert method), 36 (Chessel method). In second study area we identified 12 different bears and population size estimates were: 69 (Kohn method), 28 (Eggert method), 19 (Chessel method). Method by Eggert seems to give the best estimates for both areas, however, with very high standard deviation. We stress the importance of more precise sampling to get more relevant data for population size estimate. In conclusion, we highlight the use of noninvasive samples in study of endangered, elusive and protected species.
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