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Ausband DE, Rebholz PF, Moriarty JG, Riley SPD. Treat Yourself: Pilot Testing a New Method to Treat Mange in Wild Carnivores. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:507-512. [PMID: 38291913 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Mange is a skin disease caused by mites that parasitize an animal's skin, often yielding inflamed immune responses and hair loss. At a population level, mange may reduce survival and cause population declines. Many forms of mange can be treated quite effectively when an animal is in hand; however, this is not often feasible for many free-ranging wildlife populations. Some animals, particularly territorial carnivores, will rub or roll to scent mark and transmit information about their presence to other individuals. We posited that rub stations comprised, in part, of anthelmintic medication and foreign scents that induce rubbing could be used to remotely treat mange in the wild. We deployed 39 rub stations containing lure and dye in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Southern California, USA, October-November 2022. Carnivores rubbed or rolled at >97% of rub stations, with coyotes (Canis latrans), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and bobcats (Lynx rufus) being the most abundant species. Time to first rub or roll was generally <1 wk. Several sympatric species (e.g., mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus) were detected at rub stations but did not rub. Our pilot test provides strong evidence that treating mange in wild carnivores may be possible using the remote medicinal rub stations we describe. Future efforts to add medicine to rub stations and monitor for a change in mange prevalence are a logical next step.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Ausband
- US Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 1141, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA
| | - Peter F Rebholz
- Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, 975 West 6th Street, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA
| | - Joanne G Moriarty
- National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, USA
| | - Seth P D Riley
- National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California 91360, USA
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2
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Lombardi JV, Haines AM, Watts GW, Grassman LI, Janečka JE, Caso A, Carvajal S, Wardle ZM, Yamashita TJ, Stasey WC, Branney AB, Scognamillo DG, Campbell TA, Young JH, Tewes ME. Status and distribution of jaguarundi in Texas and Northeastern México: Making the case for extirpation and initiation of recovery in the United States. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8642. [PMID: 35356557 PMCID: PMC8937848 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi) is a small felid with a historical range from central Argentina through southern Texas. Information on the current distribution of this reclusive species is needed to inform recovery strategies in the United States where its last record was in 1986 in Texas. From 2003 to 2021, we conducted camera‐trap surveys across southern Texas and northern Tamaulipas, México to survey for medium‐sized wild cats (i.e., ocelots [Leopardus pardalis], bobcats [Lynx rufus], and jaguarundi). After 350,366 trap nights at 685 camera sites, we did not detect jaguarundis at 16 properties or along 2 highways (1050 km2) in Texas. However, we recorded 126 jaguarundi photographic detections in 15,784 trap nights on 2 properties (125.3 km2) in the northern Sierra of Tamaulipas, Tamaulipas, México. On these properties, latency to detection was 72 trap nights, with a 0.05 probability of detection per day and 0.73 photographic event rate every 100 trap nights. Due to a lack of confirmed class I sightings (e.g., specimen, photograph) in the 18 years of this study, and no other class I observations since 1986 in the United States, we conclude that the jaguarundi is likely extirpated from the United States. Based on survey effort and results from México, we would have expected to detect jaguarundis over the course of the study if still extant in Texas. We recommend that state and federal agencies consider jaguarundis as extirpated from the United States and initiate recovery actions as mandated in the federal jaguarundi recovery plan. These recovery actions include identification of suitable habitat in Texas, identification of robust populations in México, and re‐introduction of the jaguarundi to Texas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason V Lombardi
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - Aaron M Haines
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA.,Present address: Department of Biology Millersville University Millersville Pennsylvania USA
| | - G Wesley Watts
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA.,Present address: Tahoe National Forest, U.S. Forest Service Camptonville California USA
| | - Lonnie I Grassman
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - Jan E Janečka
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA.,Present address: Department of Biological Sciences Duquesne University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Arturo Caso
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA.,Present address: Predator Conservation, AC México D.F. México
| | - Sasha Carvajal
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA.,Present address: Predator Conservation, AC México D.F. México
| | - Zachary M Wardle
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - Thomas J Yamashita
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - W Chad Stasey
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA.,Present address: Custer-Gallatin National Forest U.S. Forest Service Waubay South Dakota USA
| | - Aidan B Branney
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | - Daniel G Scognamillo
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
| | | | - John H Young
- Department of Environmental Affairs Texas Department of Transportation Austin Texas USA
| | - Michael E Tewes
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Texas USA
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3
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Rounsville TF, Rogers RE, Welsh AB, Ryan CW, Anderson JT. Novel hair snare and genetic methods for non-invasive bobcat detection. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8435. [PMID: 35127004 PMCID: PMC8796956 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the use of non-invasive hair snare surveys in wildlife research and management has become more prevalent. While these tools have been used to answer important research questions, these techniques often fail to gather information on elusive carnivores, such as bobcats (Lynx rufus). Due to the limited success of previous bobcat studies using hair snares which required active rubbing, this technique has largely fallen out of use, in favor of camera trapping. The goal of our study was to construct a novel, passive bobcat hair snare that could be deployed regardless of terrain or vegetation features, which would be effective for use in capture-recapture population estimation at a large spatial scale. This new hair snare was deployed in 1500 10-km2 cells across West Virginia (USA) between two sampling seasons (2015-2016). Collected hair samples were analyzed with newly developed mitochondrial DNA primers specifically for felids and qPCR to determine species of origin, with enough sensitivity to identify samples as small as two bobcat hairs. Over the two years of the study, a total of 378 bobcat detections were recorded from 42,000 trap nights of sampling, for an overall rate of 0.9 detections/100 trap nights-nearly 2-6 times greater than any previous bobcat hair snare study. While the overall number of recaptured animals was low (n = 9), continued development of this platform should increase its usefulness in capture-recapture studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amy B. Welsh
- School of Natural ResourcesWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | | | - James T. Anderson
- School of Natural ResourcesWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
- Present address:
James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation CenterBelle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest ScienceClemson UniversityP.O. Box 596GeorgetownSouth Carolina29442USA
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4
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Doran‐Myers D, Kenney AJ, Krebs CJ, Lamb CT, Menzies AK, Murray D, Studd EK, Whittington J, Boutin S. Density estimates for Canada lynx vary among estimation methods. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D. Doran‐Myers
- Biological Sciences Centre University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - A. J. Kenney
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - C. J. Krebs
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - C. T. Lamb
- Biological Sciences Centre University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - A. K. Menzies
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Montréal Québec H9X 3V9 Canada
| | - D. Murray
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough Ontario K0L 2H0 Canada
| | - E. K. Studd
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University Montréal Québec H9X 3V9 Canada
| | - J. Whittington
- Parks Canada Banff National Park Resource Conservation Banff Alberta T1L 1K2 Canada
| | - S. Boutin
- Biological Sciences Centre University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
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Botts RT, Eppert AA, Wiegman TJ, Rodriguez A, Blankenship SR, Asselin EM, Garley WM, Wagner AP, Ullrich SE, Allen GR, Mooring MS. Circadian activity patterns of mammalian predators and prey in Costa Rica. J Mammal 2020; 101:1313-1331. [PMID: 33343263 PMCID: PMC7733402 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal niche shifts can shape predator-prey interactions by enabling predator avoidance, enhancing feeding success, and reducing competition among predators. Using a community-based conservation approach, we investigated temporal niche partitioning of mammalian predators and prey across 12 long-term camera trap surveys in the Pacific slope and Talamanca Cordillera of Costa Rica. Temporal overlap and segregation were investigated between predator-prey and predator-predator pairs using overlap analysis, circular statistics, and relative abundance after accounting for differences in habitat, season, and human impact among sites. We made the assumption that predators select abundant prey and adjust their activity to maximize their temporal overlap, thus we predicted that abundant prey with high overlap would be preferred prey species for that predator. We also predicted that similar-sized pairs of predator species with the greatest potential for competitive interactions would have the highest temporal segregation. Our results supported the existence of temporal niche separation among the eight species of predators-the smaller Leopardus felids (ocelot, margay, oncilla) were primarily nocturnal, the largest felids (jaguar and puma) and coyote were cathemeral, and the smaller jaguarundi and tayra were mostly diurnal. Most prey species (67%) were primarily nocturnal versus diurnal or cathemeral (33%). Hierarchical clustering identified relationships among species with the most similar activity patterns. We discuss the primary prey and competitor species predicted for each of the eight predators. Contrary to our prediction, the activity pattern of similar-sized intraguild competitors overlapped more than dissimilar-sized competitors, suggesting that similar-sized predators are hunting the same prey at the same time. From this we conclude that prey availability is more important than competition in determining circadian activity patterns of Neotropical predators. Our results indicate the presence of a delicate balance of tropical food webs that may be disrupted by overhunting, leading to a depauperate community consisting of ubiquitous generalists and endangered specialists. With Central America a hotspot for hunting-induced "empty forests," community-based conservation approaches may offer the best road to reduce illegal hunting and maintain the biodiversity and community structure of tropical forest systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Botts
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Mathematical, Information and Computer Science, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amy A Eppert
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Timothy J Wiegman
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Physics and Engineering, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Abner Rodriguez
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Ellen M Asselin
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Wyatt M Garley
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Abigail P Wagner
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sierra E Ullrich
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gabrielle R Allen
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Mooring
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Department of Biology, San Diego, CA, USA
- Quetzal Education and Research Center, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
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Khan A, Patel K, Bhattacharjee S, Sharma S, Chugani AN, Sivaraman K, Hosawad V, Sahu YK, Reddy GV, Ramakrishnan U. Are shed hair genomes the most effective noninvasive resource for estimating relationships in the wild? Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4583-4594. [PMID: 32551045 PMCID: PMC7297754 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of relationships in wild populations is critical for better understanding mating systems and inbreeding scenarios to inform conservation strategies for endangered species. To delineate pedigrees in wild populations, study genetic connectivity, study genotype-phenotype associations, trace individuals, or track wildlife trade, many identified individuals need to be genotyped at thousands of loci, mostly from noninvasive samples. This requires us to (a) identify the most common noninvasive sample available from identified individuals, (b) assess the ability to acquire genome-wide data from such samples, and (c) evaluate the quality of such genome-wide data, and its ability to reconstruct relationships between animals within a population.We followed identified individuals from a wild endangered tiger population and found that shed hair samples were the most common compared to scat samples, opportunistically found carcasses, and opportunistic invasive samples. We extracted DNA from these samples, prepared whole genome sequencing libraries, and sequenced genomes from these.Whole genome sequencing methods resulted in between 25%-98% of the genome sequenced for five such samples. Exploratory population genetic analyses revealed that these data were free of holistic biases and could recover expected population structure and relatedness. Mitochondrial genomes recovered matrilineages in accordance with long-term monitoring data. Even with just five samples, we were able to uncover the matrilineage for three individuals with unknown ancestry.In summary, we demonstrated that noninvasive shed hair samples yield adequate quality and quantity of DNA in conjunction with sensitive library preparation methods, and provide reliable data from hundreds of thousands of SNPs across the genome. This makes shed hair an ideal noninvasive resource for studying individual-based genetics of elusive endangered species in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhab Khan
- National Centre for Biological SciencesTIFRBangaloreIndia
| | | | - Subhadeep Bhattacharjee
- Rajasthan Forest DepartmentJaipurIndia
- Department of GEMESUniversity of JohannesburgJohannesburgSouth Africa
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7
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Alldredge MW, Blecha T, Lewis JH. Less invasive monitoring of cougars in Colorado's front range. WILDLIFE SOC B 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mat W. Alldredge
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 317 W Prospect RoadFort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Tasha Blecha
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 317 W Prospect RoadFort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Jonathan H. Lewis
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 317 W Prospect RoadFort Collins CO 80526 USA
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Abstract
Abstract
This study describes the use of hair traps as a complementary method to obtain samples for stable isotope analysis from medium- and large-sized mammals. We sampled three protected areas within the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Traps formed an enclosure of ~16 m2 composed of two barbed-wire strands at different heights, baited with corn, salt, fruits and cinnamon powder. Samples were identified using hair microstructure. We identified 11 species – four globally and six nationally threatened – of which 63.6% were frugivorous. We found high species richness with a small sampling effort, indicating that hair traps can prove useful for isotopic ecology and other applied ecological studies.
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9
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Normandeau J, Macaulay K, Berg J, Merrill E. Identifying guard hairs of Rocky Mountain carnivores. WILDLIFE SOC B 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacalyn Normandeau
- University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Kara Macaulay
- University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Jodi Berg
- University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Evelyn Merrill
- University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Canada
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10
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Crowley SM, Hodder DP. An assessment of the efficacy of rub stations for detection and abundance surveys of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Barbed and scented rub pads that rely on a cheek-rubbing behavioural response are a standard survey design that has been used extensively across the range of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792). However, there have not been any published studies evaluating the effectiveness of rub stations for detecting lynx by comparing other simultaneous survey methods. We used a combination of paired rub stations and remote cameras at 41 sites to compare detection probabilities between the two methods and conduct a mark–recapture population estimate of Canada lynx using rub stations to further interpret our findings. The detection probability calculated using cameras approached 1.0 for most of the winter season (mean = 0.88), whereas it remained less than 0.52 for hair rub stations (mean = 0.27). The low and variable detection probability using hair snags, high detection probability using cameras, and the potential gender or individual bias in rubbing behaviour based on our mark–recapture analysis suggest that rub stations are not the most efficient survey method available for Canada lynx. Until additional research incorporating spatial scale, seasonal timing, gender bias, and survey design is conducted, we urge caution in the use of hair stations that rely on the cheek-rubbing behaviour of Canada lynx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Crowley
- John Prince Research Forest, P.O. Box 2378, Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0, Canada
- John Prince Research Forest, P.O. Box 2378, Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0, Canada
| | - Dexter P. Hodder
- John Prince Research Forest, P.O. Box 2378, Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0, Canada
- John Prince Research Forest, P.O. Box 2378, Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0, Canada
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Berezowska-Cnota T, Luque-Márquez I, Elguero-Claramunt I, Bojarska K, Okarma H, Selva N. Effectiveness of different types of hair traps for brown bear research and monitoring. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186605. [PMID: 29073161 PMCID: PMC5657975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive sampling by hair-trapping is increasingly used worldwide in wildlife research. Despite this rise and the potential of hair samples for ecology and conservation studies, the relative performance of hair collection devices has been rarely tested. Here, we compare the effectiveness of five types of hair traps for brown bears Ursus arctos in the Carpathian Mountains (SE Poland) and test the effects of trap type, season, number of days elapsed since trap installation and trap features on the trapping success in order to provide recommendations for optimal sampling in future studies. The trap types were corral, path-trap, "smola"(beechwood tar) tree-trap, turpentine tree-trap and natural rub. In 2010, we collected 858 hair samples during 2330 inspections of 175 hair traps and found that the most effective traps were smola tree-traps (mean percentage of successful inspections ± SD: 30.2% ± 26.0) and natural rubs (50.8% ± 16.7). Based on this finding, over the following 2 years we focused on 24 smola tree-traps and eight natural rubs. During this long-term survey (2010-2012, 969 inspections, 1322 samples collected) the trapping success increased with time and smola tree-traps achieved similar effectiveness to natural rubs (45.5% ± 29.7 and 45.9 ± 23.4, respectively). We show that when baiting smola tree-traps ten weeks prior to research or monitoring, sampling effectiveness can reach up to 30%. Taking into account the logistical and methodological constraints associated with detecting and using natural rubs for a proper survey design, we recommend using smola tree-traps baited in advance for hair sampling in wildlife studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Berezowska-Cnota
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail: (TBC); (NS)
| | | | | | - Katarzyna Bojarska
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Henryk Okarma
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail: (TBC); (NS)
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Riley M, Soutyrina S, Miquelle D, Hayward G, Goodrich J, Buskirk S. Comparison of methods for estimating Amur tiger abundance. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Riley
- M. Riley and S. Buskirk, Univ. of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Sveta Soutyrina
- S. Soutyrina, Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Zapovednik, Terney, Primoski Krai, Russia
| | - Dale Miquelle
- D. Miquelle and J. Goodrich, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, USA. DM also at: Far Eastern Federal Univ., Ayaks, Russki Island, Vladivostok Russia
| | | | - John Goodrich
- D. Miquelle and J. Goodrich, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, USA. DM also at: Far Eastern Federal Univ., Ayaks, Russki Island, Vladivostok Russia
| | - Steven Buskirk
- M. Riley and S. Buskirk, Univ. of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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Bu H, Hopkins JB, Zhang D, Li S, Wang R, Yao M, Wang D. An evaluation of hair-snaring devices for small-bodied carnivores in southwest China. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyv205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Human population growth is a major threat to the biodiversity of mammals in China. Rapid development of infrastructure, pollution, and poor enforcement of environmental laws in China have altered the landscape and accelerated the extinction rates of mammals. To maintain biodiversity and conserve the mammals of China, it is essential to develop monitoring protocols for species of concern that are efficient, cost-effective, and current. It is now common practice for ecologists to survey mammals of interest using noninvasive sampling methods. These sampling techniques are affordable, require no handling of the target animals, and generally yield large samples. In China, such sampling methods have rarely been used and evaluated. For this study, we recorded the behavior of masked palm civets ( Paguma larvata ) and Siberian weasels ( Mustela sibirica ) to determine their relative preference for using different hair-snaring devices and evaluated the effectiveness of each device at collecting hair. Our goal was to determine which genetic sampling method(s) should be used to study masked palm civets and Siberian weasels in the future in Southwest China. In March–June of 2014, we monitored 13 hair-snare stations throughout the Main Valley of Laohegou Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. Genetic analysis revealed that we collected 373 hair samples from civets and 47 hair samples from weasels over 104 and 26 sessions, respectively. Both civets and weasels seemed to prefer lure sticks to ground cubbies; however, the latter were more effective at collecting civet hair. Although glue sheets from lure sticks collected large samples of guard hair (> 10), no device in its current design was consistently effective at collecting weasel hair. We suggest researchers in Southwest China use ground cubbies as described in this study to collect hair from masked palm civets and test other cubby designs (e.g., longer gun brushes or smaller in size) for collecting hair from Siberian weasels.
人口增长是中国哺乳动物多样性危机的主要根源之一。在中国,基础建设的快速发展、环境污染,加之环境执法力度不足造成了哺乳动物的栖息地的退化,加速了动物的灭绝速率。为了维持生物多样性水平和保护中国的哺乳动物,有必要针对受关注的物种开发有效、低成本且通用的监测方法。现在,非损伤性取样方法正被生态学家普遍应用于哺乳动物的调查中。这些调查技术在成本上易于接受,不需要接触目标动物,并且通常可以得到大量可靠的样本。在中国,非损伤性取样方法的应用和评估还较少。本研究中,我们在四川省老河沟自然保护区评估了花面狸和黄鼬对毛发陷阱的访问偏好及陷阱收集动物毛发的有效性;目标是选出有效地遗传取样方法用于将来对花面狸和黄鼬的研究。从2014年3月到6月,我们在保护区主要山谷内设置了13个毛发陷阱站,在收集野生动物的毛发同时使用红外相机记录动物访问陷阱站时的行为。我们发现,相比于设置在地面的小室陷阱,花面狸和黄鼬都更喜欢访问直立的木桩陷阱,但是,小室陷阱能够更有效地收集花面狸的毛发。尽管固定有粘性薄片的木桩 陷阱能够少量收集带有直针毛的毛发(>10根),但是我们评估的毛发陷阱都不能有效地收集黄鼬的 毛发。根据研究,我们建议研究人员在中国西南可以应用固定有枪刷的小室陷阱(如本研究中所评估的)收集花面狸的毛发,而用更长的枪刷,或者更小的小室陷阱,并固定粘性薄片收集黄鼬的毛发。
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Bu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
| | - John B. Hopkins
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Dan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Rongjiang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Dajun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University , 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing 100871 , China
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DeMatteo KE, Rinas MA, Argüelles CF, Holman BE, Di Bitetti MS, Davenport B, Parker PG, Eggert LS. Using detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat to expand knowledge and assist felid conservation in Misiones, Argentina. Integr Zool 2015; 9:623-39. [PMID: 25236691 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Many carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs; however, anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats. Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on carnivores in a variety of habitat types; however, a single survey effort is typically limited to species that have similar body size, habitat use and movement patterns, and individual identification of animals is not always possible. We evaluated whether scat detection dogs could effectively survey for 4 wide-ranging felids that vary in these characteristics: jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). From June to October 2009 and May to August 2011, a detection dog-handler team detected 588 scats, from which 176 unique genotypes were detected. We assigned sex to 84.7% of the genotyped scats and identified 55 individuals multiple times. The effectiveness of these noninvasive techniques (detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat) not only opens the door for additional studies in areas that were previously difficult or impossible with standard survey techniques, but also provides conservationists with a set of tools that overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of camera traps alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E DeMatteo
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA; WildCare Institute at the Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, USA
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Monterroso P, Rich LN, Serronha A, Ferreras P, Alves PC. Efficiency of hair snares and camera traps to survey mesocarnivore populations. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-013-0780-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Hair snaring and molecular genetic identification for reconstructing the spatial structure of Eurasian lynx populations. Mamm Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2012.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Hanke PU, Dickman CR. Sniffing out the stakes: hair-snares for wild cats in arid environments. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/wr12210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Wild cats (Felis spp.) are difficult to monitor because of their cryptic lifestyle and usually low numbers. Hair-snaring is a promising non-invasive method being used increasingly to estimate mammal populations. Aims Our aim was to carry out pilot trials of a simple hair-snare designed to capture hair from wild cats in arid environments. Methods Roughened wooden stakes were set at multiple sites on the crests of sand dunes and in swales in western Queensland, Australia, and in mostly sandy habitats of the Namib and Kalahari Deserts, Namibia. In Australia, stakes were sprayed with cat urine, extracts of catnip or valerian herbs as lures, or left untreated; in Namibia, alternate stakes were sprayed with a food lure of tuna emulsion oil. The stakes were checked for hair, usually daily, for 2–14 days, and the surrounding ground was inspected for tracks. Remote cameras also were used at some sites to confirm the identity of visitors to stakes. Key results In Australia, feral cats (Felis catus) were attracted to, and left hairs on, stakes sprayed with cat urine six times more frequently than to unsprayed stakes irrespective of whether snares were on dune crests or in swales, and showed no response to catnip or valerian. Tracks and photos showed that cats, dingoes or wild dogs (Canis lupus ssp.) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) also approached and sniffed the stakes. In Namibia, F. catus, F. lybica and F. nigripes left hair on stakes, with deposition rates two and a half-fold higher at stakes with the food lure than without it. At least five other species of predators visited the hair-snare sites. Conclusions Simple wooden stakes provide a cheap and simple method of snaring hairs from wild cats, especially if used in conjunction with appropriate lures. Our results broadly support previous work, and extend the utility of the method to different Felis spp. in arid habitats. Implications Further research is needed on snares to investigate the seasonal efficiency of different lures. If DNA also is to be extracted to identify individuals, more work is needed to confirm that snares yield hair of sufficient quality to allow this.
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Comparison of the effectivity of different snare types for collecting and retaining hair from Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-011-0607-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Veale AJ, Clout MN, Gleeson DM. Genetic population assignment reveals a long-distance incursion to an island by a stoat (Mustela erminea). Biol Invasions 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-011-0113-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Comer CE, Symmank ME, Kroll JC. Bobcats Exhibit Low Detection Rates at Hair Collection Stations in East Texas. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.2461/wbp.2011.7.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Monterroso P, Alves PC, Ferreras P. Evaluation of attractants for non-invasive studies of Iberian carnivore communities. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The estimation of population parameters for mammalian carnivore species is a challenging task because of their low densities and large home ranges, which make detection probabilities very low. Several factors, such as the species abundance, habitat structure or the use of an attractant affect carnivore detection probabilities; however, attractants are the most easily manipulated. Some previous research suggests that the use of effective attractants can significantly increase detection probabilities.
Aims
To assess the effectiveness of several attractants for Iberian carnivores, and to evaluate their usefulness for non-invasive survey methods.
Methods
The responses of seven carnivore species to six potential attractants were evaluated through cafeteria-like experiments with captive specimens. A selectivity index was applied to assess the relative attractiveness of each tested substance. The enclosure tests were followed by field trials with camera-trapping, using the most promising attractants for field evaluation of their efficiency.
Key results
Enclosure trials revealed that lynx urine was the most effective and generalist attractant because it successfully attracted six of the seven species tested. Rubbing behaviour was also induced in the greatest number of species by lynx urine. Field tests using a combination of lynx urine and valerian extract solution induced investigative behaviours in over 50% of all detection events in all species, with the exception of the Eurasian badger.
Conclusions
No single attractant is effective for all species. Nevertheless, a combination of lynx urine and valerian solution should efficiently attract the majority of species present in Iberian carnivore communities. Furthermore, some species exhibit a rubbing behaviour when they come in contact with the attractants. Regardless of the generalist efficiency of the lynx urine, other tested substances revealed promising results for single-species monitoring.
Implications
Our results provide a baseline for selecting attractants in survey and monitoring programs that focus on carnivore species. The rubbing behaviours exhibited by several of the species tested suggest the use of these attractants could improve the efficiency of field studies that rely on rub-pads for the collection of biological samples.
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BEJA‐PEREIRA ALBANO, OLIVEIRA RITA, ALVES PAULOC, SCHWARTZ MICHAELK, LUIKART GORDON. Advancing ecological understandings through technological transformations in noninvasive genetics. Mol Ecol Resour 2009; 9:1279-301. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2009.02699.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- ALBANO BEJA‐PEREIRA
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485‐661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - RITA OLIVEIRA
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485‐661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n, 4169‐007 Porto, Portugal
| | - PAULO C. ALVES
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485‐661 Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n, 4169‐007 Porto, Portugal
| | - MICHAEL K. SCHWARTZ
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - GORDON LUIKART
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485‐661 Vairão, Portugal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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Fimbel C, Freed S. Monitoring Western Gray Squirrels for Landscape Management in Western Washington. NORTHWEST SCIENCE 2008. [DOI: 10.3955/0029-344x-82.4.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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