Evaluation of non-invasive genetic sampling methods for estimating tiger population size

摘要: Abstract There is often a conservation need to estimate population abundances of elusive, low-density, wide-ranging carnivore species. Because logistical constraints, investigators employ non-invasive ‘captures’ that may involve ‘genetic’ or ‘photographic’ sampling in such cases. Established capture–recapture (CR) methods offer powerful analytical tool for data. In this paper, we developed rigorous combination captive, laboratory and field-based protocols identifying individual tigers (Panthera tigris) from fecal DNA. We explored trade-offs between numbers microsatellite loci used reliable identifications the higher capture rates robust analyses. Our field surveys scats were also specifically designed CR analyses, enabling us test closure, probabilities tiger abundance. Consequently, could compare genetic estimates results ‘photographic capture’ study at same site. The using heterogeneity model (Mh-Jackknife) DNA survey [Mt+1 = 26; p ¯ ˆ = 0.09 N ( S E [ ] )=66 (12.98)] close agreement with those photographic [(Mt+1 = 29; 0.04 ) = 66 (13.8)]. revealed designing explicitly data analyses generate probability abundance low density species as tigers. highlights importance estimation contexts where other approaches camera-trapping physical tagging animals not be practical options.