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An evaluation of field and noninvasive genetic methods for estimating Eurasian otter population size

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Abstract

Successful conservation and management of rare and elusive species requires reliable estimates of population size, but acquisition of such data is often challenging. We compare the two most frequently used methods of assessing abundance of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) populations, noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) based on genotyping of faeces and field surveys using snow tracking. In a 100-km2 oligotrophic otter habitat with linear water bodies, both methods yielded very similar estimates (10–12 individuals). However, in a 100-km2 fishpond area, consisting of a complex network of rivers, fishponds, channels and marshes, genotyping of faeces revealed the presence of a higher number of individuals (46–50 genotypes) than the snow survey (38 individuals). NGS data analysed by capture-mark-recapture (CMR)-based software CAPWIRE provided even higher estimates, being twice the number assessed through snow tracking (76–81 individuals, CI95% = 49–96 and 55–89). Our results suggest that the performance of both NGS and snow tracking is comparable in simple linear habitats, but in complex habitats with very high otter density a combination of genetic and field methods, or CMR analysis using genetic data, is recommended. We emphasise that to obtain reliable estimates using NGS it is necessary to follow strict protocols for detection and elimination of genotyping errors. Based on a literature review and our experience, we suggest improvements that may increase the success rate and efficiency of NGS for otters.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Miroslav Lehocký, Vašek Bartuška and Jana Moravcová for help with collecting spraint samples in the field, and all the colleagues and volunteers that participated in the snow tracking actions. We appreciate the advice and support of Josef Bryja and Jan Zima. The study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (grant no. 206/03/0757) and the Czech Ministry of Education (grant no. LC06073).

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  1. Kevin Roche

    Present address: , Husova 1008, 639 01, Rosice u Brna, Czech Republic

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Vertebrate Biology, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic

    Petra Hájková & Barbora Zemanová

  2. Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic

    Petra Hájková & Barbora Zemanová

  3. Czech Otter Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 53, 379 01, Třeboň, Czech Republic

    Kevin Roche

  4. Administration of the Slovenský raj National Park, State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic, Štefánikovo nám. 9, 052 01, Spišská Nová Ves, Slovak Republic

    Bedřich Hájek

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  1. Petra Hájková
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Correspondence to Petra Hájková.

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Hájková, P., Zemanová, B., Roche, K. et al. An evaluation of field and noninvasive genetic methods for estimating Eurasian otter population size. Conserv Genet 10, 1667–1681 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-008-9745-4

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