A Single-Sampling Hair Trap for Mesocarnivores |
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| Authors: | JONATHAN N. PAULI MATTHEW B. HAMILTON EDWARD B. CRAIN STEVEN W. BUSKIRK |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Continental Animal Wellness Center, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA;2. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Retired), Petersburg, AK 99833, USA;3. Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Although techniques to analyze and quantify DNA-based data have progressed, methods to noninvasively collect samples lag behind. Samples are generally collected from devices that permit coincident sampling of multiple individuals. Because of cross-contamination, substantive genotyping errors can arise. We developed a cost-effective (US$4.60/trap) single-capture hair trap for American martens (Martes americana). In the field, traps effectively targeted martens; >75% of all hair samples were identified as marten. Eighty percent of marten hair (n = 180) contained sufficient quality for DNA-based analyses. This effective and affordable trap can be used by managers to monitor mesocarnivore populations noninvasively. |
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| Keywords: | Alaska genetics mark-recapture marten stable isotope Wyoming |
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