A long-term population monitoring approach for a wide-ranging carnivore: Noninvasive genetic sampling of gray wolf rendezvous sites in Idaho, USA

摘要: Various monitoring methods have been developed for large carnivores, but not all are practical or sufficiently accurate long-term over spatial scales. From 2009 to 2010, we used a predictive habitat model locate gray wolf rendezvous sites in 4 study areas Idaho, USA and conducted noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) of scat hair found at the sites. We evaluated species individual identification PCR success rates across areas, estimated population size with single-session estimator using 2 different recapture-coding methods. then compared NGS estimates generated concurrently from telemetry data. collected 1,937 166 samples identified 193 unique individuals years. For fecal DNA samples, were consistently high (>92%) areas. Individual ranged 78% 80% drier dropped 50% wettest area. The degree agreement between NGS- telemetry-derived varied by method considerable variability 95% confidence intervals. Population derived most influenced average number detections per individual. demonstrate how changes field effort can affect widely estimation model. Our highlights need further develop reliable tools data, especially those differences capture frequencies among stemming severe heterogeneity (i.e., overdispersion). © 2014 Wildlife Society.