Evaluating genetic capture-recapture using a chimpanzee population of known size

摘要: Genetic capture-recapture (CR) estimates of population size have potential for aiding the conservation and management rare or elusive animals. To date, few studies explored performance genetic CR by implementing them in a known size. We evaluated accuracy precision genotyping fecal samples collected opportunistically over territory well-studied group approximately 190 previously identified genotyped eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) Kibale National Park, Uganda. compared based on 3-month 3-year sampling periods to explore impact lengthened sample periods, which are expected increase but also chances violating closure assumptions. effects using spatial non-spatial models equal heterogeneous detection probabilities upon estimates. Over period, we detected 54% members produced with more narrower confidence intervals than period. The remained effectively closed 3 years heterogeneity was linked age not sex. Non-spatial methods estimated accurately spatially explicit methods, had stronger tendency underestimate This study suggests that may produce accurate precise if substantial effort is allocated collection genotyping. © 2016 Wildlife Society.