1
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Effective dispersal and genetic structure of a small mammal in an intensively managed agricultural landscape: is there any barrier to movement? Evol Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-023-10233-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
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2
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Thomas NE, Hailer F, Bruford MW, Chadwick EA. Country‐wide genetic monitoring over 21 years reveals lag in genetic recovery despite spatial connectivity in an expanding carnivore (Eurasian otter,
Lutra lutra
) population. Evol Appl 2022; 15:2125-2141. [DOI: 10.1111/eva.13505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nia E. Thomas
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff Wales UK
| | - Frank Hailer
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff Wales UK
| | - Michael W. Bruford
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff Wales UK
| | - Elizabeth A. Chadwick
- Organisms and Environment Research Division, School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff Wales UK
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3
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Puckett EE, Davis IS. Spatial patterns of genetic diversity in eight bear (Ursidae) species. URSUS 2021. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-20-00029.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Puckett
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Isis S. Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
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4
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Maduna SN, Aars J, Fløystad I, Klütsch CFC, Zeyl Fiskebeck EML, Wiig Ø, Ehrich D, Andersen M, Bachmann L, Derocher AE, Nyman T, Eiken HG, Hagen SB. Sea ice reduction drives genetic differentiation among Barents Sea polar bears. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211741. [PMID: 34493082 PMCID: PMC8424353 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of Arctic sea ice owing to climate change is predicted to reduce both genetic diversity and gene flow in ice-dependent species, with potentially negative consequences for their long-term viability. Here, we tested for the population-genetic impacts of reduced sea ice cover on the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sampled across two decades (1995-2016) from the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, an area that is affected by rapid sea ice loss in the Arctic Barents Sea. We analysed genetic variation at 22 microsatellite loci for 626 polar bears from four sampling areas within the archipelago. Our results revealed a 3-10% loss of genetic diversity across the study period, accompanied by a near 200% increase in genetic differentiation across regions. These effects may best be explained by a decrease in gene flow caused by habitat fragmentation owing to the loss of sea ice coverage, resulting in increased inbreeding of local polar bears within the focal sampling areas in the Svalbard Archipelago. This study illustrates the importance of genetic monitoring for developing adaptive management strategies for polar bears and other ice-dependent species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simo Njabulo Maduna
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Svanhovd, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ida Fløystad
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Svanhovd, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
| | - Cornelya F. C. Klütsch
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Svanhovd, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
| | | | - Øystein Wiig
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dorothee Ehrich
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT Arctic University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Lutz Bachmann
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew E. Derocher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
| | - Tommi Nyman
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Svanhovd, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
| | - Hans Geir Eiken
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Svanhovd, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
| | - Snorre B. Hagen
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Svanhovd, N-9925 Svanvik, Norway
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5
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Frank SC, Pelletier F, Kopatz A, Bourret A, Garant D, Swenson JE, Eiken HG, Hagen SB, Zedrosser A. Harvest is associated with the disruption of social and fine-scale genetic structure among matrilines of a solitary large carnivore. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1023-1035. [PMID: 33897818 PMCID: PMC8061280 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Harvest can disrupt wildlife populations by removing adults with naturally high survival. This can reshape sociospatial structure, genetic composition, fitness, and potentially affect evolution. Genetic tools can detect changes in local, fine-scale genetic structure (FGS) and assess the interplay between harvest-caused social and FGS in populations. We used data on 1614 brown bears, Ursus arctos, genotyped with 16 microsatellites, to investigate whether harvest intensity (mean low: 0.13 from 1990 to 2005, mean high: 0.28 from 2006 to 2011) caused changes in FGS among matrilines (8 matrilines; 109 females ≥4 years of age), sex-specific survival and putative dispersal distances, female spatial genetic autocorrelation, matriline persistence, and male mating patterns. Increased harvest decreased FGS of matrilines. Female dispersal distances decreased, and male reproductive success was redistributed more evenly. Adult males had lower survival during high harvest, suggesting that higher male turnover caused this redistribution and helped explain decreased structure among matrilines, despite shorter female dispersal distances. Adult female survival and survival probability of both mother and daughter were lower during high harvest, indicating that matriline persistence was also lower. Our findings indicate a crucial role of regulated harvest in shaping populations, decreasing differences among "groups," even for solitary-living species, and potentially altering the evolutionary trajectory of wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane C. Frank
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental HealthUniversity of South‐Eastern NorwayTelemarkNorway
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Département de BiologieUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQCCanada
| | | | - Audrey Bourret
- Département de BiologieUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQCCanada
| | - Dany Garant
- Département de BiologieUniversité de SherbrookeSherbrookeQCCanada
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | | | | | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental HealthUniversity of South‐Eastern NorwayTelemarkNorway
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game ManagementUniversity of Natural Resources and Applied Life SciencesViennaAustria
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6
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Herrero A, Klütsch CFC, Holmala K, Maduna SN, Kopatz A, Eiken HG, Hagen SB. Genetic analysis indicates spatial-dependent patterns of sex-biased dispersal in Eurasian lynx in Finland. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246833. [PMID: 33606691 PMCID: PMC7894887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation and management of large carnivores requires knowledge of female and male dispersal. Such information is crucial to evaluate the population's status and thus management actions. This knowledge is challenging to obtain, often incomplete and contradictory at times. The size of the target population and the methods applied can bias the results. Also, population history and biological or environmental influences can affect dispersal on different scales within a study area. We have genotyped Eurasian lynx (180 males and 102 females, collected 2003-2017) continuously distributed in southern Finland (~23,000 km2) using 21 short tandem repeats (STR) loci and compared statistical genetic tests to infer local and sex-specific dispersal patterns within and across genetic clusters as well as geographic regions. We tested for sex-specific substructure with individual-based Bayesian assignment tests and spatial autocorrelation analyses. Differences between the sexes in genetic differentiation, relatedness, inbreeding, and diversity were analysed using population-based AMOVA, F-statistics, and assignment indices. Our results showed two different genetic clusters that were spatially structured for females but admixed for males. Similarly, spatial autocorrelation and relatedness was significantly higher in females than males. However, we found weaker sex-specific patterns for the Eurasian lynx when the data were separated in three geographical regions than when divided in the two genetic clusters. Overall, our results suggest male-biased dispersal and female philopatry for the Eurasian lynx in Southern Finland. The female genetic structuring increased from west to east within our study area. In addition, detection of male-biased dispersal was dependent on analytical methods utilized, on whether subtle underlying genetic structuring was considered or not, and the choice of population delineation. Conclusively, we suggest using multiple genetic approaches to study sex-biased dispersal in a continuously distributed species in which population delineation is difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Herrero
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cornelya F. C. Klütsch
- NIBIO—Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Svanvik, Norway
| | - Katja Holmala
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail: (KH); (SBH)
| | - Simo N. Maduna
- NIBIO—Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Svanvik, Norway
| | - Alexander Kopatz
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hans Geir Eiken
- NIBIO—Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Svanvik, Norway
| | - Snorre B. Hagen
- NIBIO—Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Svanvik, Norway
- * E-mail: (KH); (SBH)
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7
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Karamanlidis AA, Kopatz A, de Gabriel Hernando M. Dispersal patterns of a recovering brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in a human-dominated landscape. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Despite increasing habitat fragmentation, large carnivore populations in parts of Europe have been recovering and expanding into human-dominated areas. Knowledge of animal dispersal patterns in such areas is important for their conservation, management, and coexistence with humans. We used genetic data based on 15 microsatellite markers from 312 individuals (98 females, 214 males) to assess kinship and dispersal patterns during the recovery and spatial expansion of a wild brown bear (Ursus arctos) population (2003–2010) in the human-dominated landscape of Greece. We hypothesized that bear dispersal in Greece was sex-biased, with females being more philopatric and males dispersing more frequently and over greater distances. Dispersal indeed was sex-biased, with males dispersing more frequently and farther than females. Overall, females were found to be philopatric; males also appeared to be philopatric, but to a lesser degree. However, a high proportion of females displayed dispersal behavior, which may be indicative of a pre-saturation stage of the population in that part of the country. Our results indicate that dispersal may be due to evading competition and avoiding inbreeding. We also documented long-distance dispersal of bears, which is considered to be indicative of a spatially expanding population. Our results highlight the value of using noninvasive genetic monitoring data to assess kinship among individuals and study dispersal patterns in human-dominated landscapes. Brown bears remain threatened in Greece; we therefore recommend systematic genetic monitoring of the species in combination with careful habitat management to protect suitable habitat (i.e., dispersal corridors) and ultimately ensure co-existence with humans and survival of brown bears in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros A Karamanlidis
- ARCTUROS, Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment, Aetos, Florina, Greece
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Alexander Kopatz
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Miguel de Gabriel Hernando
- ARCTUROS, Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment, Aetos, Florina, Greece
- Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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8
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Blanco JC, Ballesteros F, Palomero G, López-Bao JV. Not exodus, but population increase and gene flow restoration in Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos) subpopulations. Comment on Gregório et al. 2020. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240698. [PMID: 33137146 PMCID: PMC7605620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In a genetic study on brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Cantabrian Mountains, Gregório et al. (2020) interpreted the asymmetrical gene flow they found from the eastern subpopulation towards the western one as an exodus of bears forced to flee from the eastern nucleus “with higher human disturbance and poaching”, concluding that connectivity may be operating as a means for eastern Cantabrian bears to find more suitable territories. In this reply, we maintain that the explanations of Gregorio et al. contradict the source-sink theory and we also present demographic data not considered by these authors showing that the eastern subpopulation is not declining, but persistently increasing. After reviewing the demographic and genetic studies published during the last 20 years, we conclude that the connectivity between the two subpopulations is operating as a route which allows the regular movement of males and the restoration of the gene flow across the whole Cantabrian population.
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9
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Demastes JW, Hafner DJ, Hafner MS, Light JE, Spradling TA. Loss of genetic diversity, recovery and allele surfing in a colonizing parasite, Geomydoecus aurei. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:703-720. [PMID: 30589151 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic consequences of changes in species distributions has wide-ranging implications for predicting future outcomes of climate change, for protecting threatened or endangered populations and for understanding the history that has led to current genetic patterns within species. Herein, we examine the genetic consequences of range expansion over a 25-year period in a parasite (Geomydoecus aurei) that is in the process of expanding its geographic range via invasion of a novel host. By sampling the genetics of 1,935 G. aurei lice taken from 64 host individuals collected over this time period using 12 microsatellite markers, we test hypotheses concerning linear spatial expansion, genetic recovery time and allele surfing. We find evidence of decreasing allelic richness (AR) with increasing distance from the source population, supporting a linear, stepping stone model of spatial expansion that emphasizes the effects of repeated bottleneck events during colonization. We provide evidence of post-bottleneck genetic recovery, with average AR of infrapopulations increasing about 30% over the 225-generation span of time observed directly in this study. Our estimates of recovery rate suggest, however, that recovery has plateaued and that this population may not reach genetic diversity levels of the source population without further immigration from the source population. Finally, we employ a grid-based sampling scheme in the region of ongoing population expansion and provide empirical evidence for the power of allele surfing to impart genetic structure on a population, even under conditions of selective neutrality and in a place that lacks strong barriers to gene flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Demastes
- Department of Biology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
| | - David J Hafner
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Mark S Hafner
- Museum of Natural Science and Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Jessica E Light
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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10
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Eriksen A, Wabakken P, Maartmann E, Zimmermann B. Den site selection by male brown bears at the population's expansion front. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202653. [PMID: 30161161 PMCID: PMC6116945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) spend about half of the year in winter dens. In order to preserve energy, bears may select denning locations that minimize temperature loss and human disturbance. In expanding animal populations, demographic structure and individual behavior at the expansion front can differ from core areas. We conducted a non-invasive study of male brown bear den sites at the male-biased, low-density western expansion front of the Scandinavian brown bear population, comparing den locations to the available habitat. Compared to the higher-density population core in which intraspecific avoidance may affect den site selection of subordinate bears, we expected resource competition in the periphery to be low, and all bears to be able to select optimal den sites. In addition, bears in the periphery had access to free-ranging domestic sheep during summer. We found that males in the periphery denned on high-elevation slopes, probably providing good drainage, longer periods of consistent, insulating snow cover and fewer melting-freezing events. Forests were the principal denning habitat and no dens were found in alpine areas. The Scandinavian brown bears have a history of intense harvest, including culling at the den. This may have exerted a selection pressure to avoid denning in open alpine habitat which compared to forests provide little cover. The bears denned away from main roads and in steep, rugged terrain, probably limiting human access. The odds for finding a bear den decreased with increasing distance to the population core where females could be found. Previous studies have documented directed movement of male brown bears from the male-biased population periphery toward the core areas during the mating season. In this way, denning males may be trading off between low resource competition and access to sheep in the low-density periphery, and mating opportunities in the higher-density population core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Eriksen
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, Norway
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, Norway
| | - Erling Maartmann
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, Norway
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, Norway
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11
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Schregel J, Remm J, Eiken HG, Swenson JE, Saarma U, Hagen SB. Multi‐level patterns in population genetics: Variogram series detects a hidden isolation‐by‐distance‐dominated structure of Scandinavian brown bears
Ursus arctos. Methods Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schregel
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchNIBIO ‐ Svanhovd Svanvik Norway
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life Sciences Ǻs Norway
| | - Jaanus Remm
- Department of ZoologyInstitute of Ecology and Earth SciencesUniversity of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - Hans Geir Eiken
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchNIBIO ‐ Svanhovd Svanvik Norway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life Sciences Ǻs Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Trondheim Norway
| | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of ZoologyInstitute of Ecology and Earth SciencesUniversity of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - Snorre B. Hagen
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchNIBIO ‐ Svanhovd Svanvik Norway
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12
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Using blood and non-invasive shed skin samples to identify sex of caenophidian snakes based on multiplex PCR assay. ZOOL ANZ 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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