How Behavior of Nontarget Species Affects Perceived Accuracy of Scat Detection Dog Surveys.

摘要: Detection dogs, specially trained domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), have become a valuable, noninvasive, conservation tool because they remove the dependence of attracting species to particular location. Further, detection locate samples independent appearance, composition, or visibility allowing researchers collect large sets unbiased that can be used in complex ecological queries. One question not fully addressed is why from nontarget are inadvertently collected during dog surveys. While common explanation has been incomplete handler training, our study aimed explore alternative explanations. Our trials demonstrate scat’s genetic profile altered by interactions with target scat via urine-marking, coprophagy, and moving scats their mouths, all pathways contamination species’ DNA. Because odor masking, collection mixed olfactory (target nontarget) possible. These will likely characteristics therefore only discovered faulty once results indicate species. impact research conclusions so long as DNA tested, we suggest ways minimize associated costs.