Monitoring coyote population dynamics by genotyping faeces

摘要: Reliable population estimates are necessary for effective conservation and management, faecal genotyping has been used successfully to estimate the size of several elusive mammalian species. Information such as changes in over time survival rates, however, often more useful biology than single estimates. We evaluated use a tool monitoring long-term dynamics, using coyotes (Canis latrans) Alaska Range case study. obtained 544 genotypes from 56 3 years (2000-2002). Tissue samples all 15 radio-collared our study area had > or = 1 matching genotypes. flexible maximum-likelihood models coyote we tested model performance against radio telemetry data. The staple prey coyotes, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), dramatically declined during this study, nearly two-fold with 1(1/2)-year lag. Survival rates year after crashed but recovered following year. conclude that species is feasible can provide data wildlife management. highlight some drawbacks standard open-population models, low precision requirement discrete sampling intervals, suggest development open designed continuously collected would enhance utility tool.