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Sample diversity adds value to non-invasive genetic assessment of a pine marten (Martes martes) population in Galloway Forest, southwest Scotland

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Abstract

The European pine marten (Martes martes) is a species of considerable conservation interest in Britain due to its rarity and status as a recovering native carnivore. In recent years, there has been increased application of non-invasive genetic sampling methods in population studies of Martes species. We investigated the effect of sample source (hair and faeces) in the non-invasive assessment of the distribution, population size and density of pine martens in the Fleet Basin in Galloway Forest, southwest Scotland. Fifty-two hair samples and 114 scats were collected during September and October 2014. Genetic analysis was used to identify the species, gender and individual genotype of samples. There was a significant difference in the genotyping success rate for hair samples (43 %) and scat samples (24 %). In total, 15 individual pine martens were identified; 7 males and 8 females. Capture-recapture programme Capwire produced a population size estimate of 18 individuals (95 % CI 15 to 25). Of the 15 individuals sampled, 14 (93 %) were detected from scat sampling and 5 (33 %) were detected from hair sampling. The population density estimate for a post-breeding population was 0.13 to 0.15 pine martens per square kilometre which is towards the lower limit of densities reported for pine martens elsewhere in Scotland. Data from the study highlight that future non-invasive studies aiming to determine pine marten population size and density should incorporate the collection of both hair and scat samples in order to detect as many individuals within the population as possible.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by Forestry Commission Scotland and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. Logistical support and advice was provided by Andrew Jarrott and Martin Webber (Forestry Commission Scotland). Hair tubes were kindly supplied by the University of Stirling by Laura Kubasiewicz and Kirsty Park. Laura Kubasiewicz and Declan O’Mahony provided advice on abundance and population density modelling methods. Additional field and logistical support was provided by Shirley Martin, Chas Mooney and Pete Garson. We are grateful to two anonymous reviewers whose comments greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Vincent Wildlife Trust, 3 & 4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1EP, UK

    Elizabeth Croose

  2. School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK

    Elizabeth Croose

  3. Swift Ecology Ltd, Glen Cottage, Lower Dingle, West Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 4BQ, UK

    Johnny D. S. Birks

  4. Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Republic of Ireland

    Catherine O’Reilly & Peter Turner

  5. Myotismart Ltd, 3 Dixon Wood Close, Grange over Sands, Lindale, LA11 6LN, UK

    John Martin

  6. Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK

    Ewan T. MacLeod

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Croose
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  2. Johnny D. S. Birks
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  3. Catherine O’Reilly
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  4. Peter Turner
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  5. John Martin
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Croose.

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Communicated by: Andrzej Zalewski

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Croose, E., Birks, J.D.S., O’Reilly, C. et al. Sample diversity adds value to non-invasive genetic assessment of a pine marten (Martes martes) population in Galloway Forest, southwest Scotland. Mamm Res 61, 131–139 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-015-0257-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-015-0257-6

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