Noninvasive techniques provide novel insights for the elusive bush dog (Speothos venaticus)

摘要: The bush dog (Speothos venaticus), a small and rarely seen canid from Central South America, has proven extremely challenging to locate study in the wild, making development of species-specific comprehensive carnivore conservation strategies difficult. From May August 2011, detection-dog–handler team located 34 scats dogs northern (n = 26) central (n = 8) zones Misiones, Argentina. We identified 22 unique genotypes (14 8 central) assigned sex 100% genotyped scats. Only half were inside 7 protected areas (4 3 central); remaining 4 sites outside (3 1 central). Results suggest low but significant differentiation between for (FST = 0.049, P = 0.010). Bush demonstrated high habitat-use flexibility close association with altered habitat; however, habitat may not be optimal species because potential lower prey densities risk exposure life threatening diseases by domestic dogs. effectiveness noninvasive techniques (detection dogs, genetic analyses scat, Geographic Information System technology) studying ecology only opens door additional studies that difficult standard survey techniques, also provides an alternative approach conservationists can use independent type presence humans. © 2014 Wildlife Society.