A PCR-RFLP method on faecal samples to distinguish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Martes martes</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Martes foina</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mustela putorius</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>

A non-invasive genetic approach has been recently employed in the population genetics of wild species, using faeces that could be easily collected, particularly of elusive or endangered species. However, faeces of pine (Martes martes) and beech marten (M. foina) can be morphologically similar and could be confused with those of polecat (Mustela putorius) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). On this basis, a rapid, simple and inexpensive RFLP protocol using a cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene fragment of mtDNA, isolated from faecal samples, was performed to distinguish the above-mentioned species.