Uncertainty in determination of sex from harvested bobcats |
| |
Authors: | Bronwyn W Williams Dwayne R Etter Philip D Dewitt Kim T Scribner Paul D Friedrich |
| |
Institution: | 1. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;2. Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 8562 E. Stoll Road, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA;3. Matrix Solutions Inc., 142-6325 Gateway Blvd., Edmonton, AB T6H 5H6, Canada;4. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;5. Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Wildlife Disease Laboratory, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Considerable uncertainty often exists in estimates of demographic parameters based on data collected from harvested furbearer species. We used molecular genetic techniques to estimate rates of error in 2 methods of sex determination of harvested bobcats (Lynx rufus): manual examination of the carcass (field sex) and laboratory-based maximum canine root area (MRA sex). Error rates were high for both sexing techniques, and were associated with age and an age–sex interaction for the field and MRA sexing methods, respectively. These findings do not support the use of the field methods for identifying sex of harvested bobcats. The MRA method may be effective for determining sex of older bobcats but is limited by considerable overlap between sexes in juveniles and yearlings. If critical demographic parameters are estimated from harvest data, efforts should be made to identify and reduce rates of error before data are used to assess population status. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. |
| |
Keywords: | bobcat field sexing harvest Lynx rufus maximum canine root area (MRA) Michigan molecular sexing |
|
|