Efficacy and precision of fecal genotyping to estimate coyote abundance

摘要: Questions concerning the effects on other wildlife species by coyotes (Canis latrans) in recently colonized areas, including southeastern United States, continue to receive attention literature. Coyote abundance estimates, achieved via genetic sampling of feces, can be useful answering such questions. However, rapid degradation fecal DNA humid subtropical climates, like that may limit efficacy technique. To evaluate this hypothesis, we collected and analyzed 434 suspected coyote scats from February 2010 April 2012 2 sites central Georgia, USA. We quantified seasonal comprehensive genotyping success, effect effort precision closed population estimates. successfully species-typed 316 (73%) scats, 219 (69%) which belonged coyotes. Of those, 136 (62%) yielded multilocus genotypes. The probability a scat ranged 0.53 0.71. Scats during spring were more likely yield consensus genotypes, but overall season success was minimal. median CV for model-averaged Nˆ (i.e., abundance) using complete data set relatively precise (<15%). Precision estimates decreased with decreasing effort, values remained <20% up 25% reduction effort. Our findings related demonstrate noninvasive feces is promising technique estimating climates. Combined our results regarding these aid designing surveys capable achieving desired objectives similar environments. © 2016 Wildlife Society.