Hare's affairs: Lessons learnt from a noninvasive genetic monitoring for tracking mountain hare individuals

摘要: Systematic monitoring of individuals and their abundance over time has become an important tool to provide information for conservation. For genetic studies, noninvasive sampling emerged as a valuable approach, particularly so elusive or rare animals. Here, we present the 5-year results ongoing mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in protected area Swiss Alps. We used nuclear microsatellites sex marker identify assign species noninvasively collected feces samples. Through including identification, were able assess ratio changes sex-specific demographic parameters time. Male showed high fluctuations apparent survival males was lower than females. Generally, females only little temporary migration into out study area. Additionally, using genotyped tissue samples from hares, European europaeus) hybrids, evidence first occurrence hare at elevation 2,300 m a.s.l. spring 2016. future suggest include complementary analysis methods reliably infer identities analyzed and, thus, not monitor individual abundance, but also potential threats given through competitive exclusion by hybridization with hare.