An evaluation of noninvasive sampling techniques for Malayan sun bears

Tee, Thye Lim; Lai, Wai Ling; Wei, Terence Kok Ju; Shern, Ooi Zhuan; Manen, Frank T. van; Sharp, Stuart P.; Wong, Siew Te; Chew, Jactty; Ratnayeke, Shyamala

doi:10.2192/ursus-s-20-00004.1

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…Apart from targeting highly polymorphic regions of the mitochondrial genome, the primers used in this study may be effective for samples where poor DNA quality and quantity precludes whole mitogenome construction. We successfully amplified all hair and blood samples in this study, including 20 hair samples collected non-invasively from wild sun bears using the CR1 (764 bp) marker (Tee et al 2020). These markers hold much promise, therefore, for studies of genetic isolation and contemporary gene flow in sun bear populations.…”

Section: Phylogenetic and Haplotypic Network Analysis Using Bayesian And Maximum Likelihood Treesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitochondrial DNA Profiling Reveals Two Lineages of Sun Bears in East and West Malaysia

Lai

Chew

Gatherer

et al. 2021

Journal of Heredity

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Sun bear populations are fragmented and at risk from habitat loss and exploitation for body parts. These threats are made worse by significant gaps in knowledge of sun bear population genetic diversity, population connectivity, and taxonomically significant management units. Using a complete sun bear mitochondrial genome, we developed a set of mitochondrial markers to assess haplotype variation and the evolutionary history of sun bears from Peninsular (West) Malaysia, and Sabah (East Malaysia). Genetic samples from 28 sun bears from Peninsular Malaysia, 36 from Sabah, and 18 from Thailand were amplified with primers targeting a 1,800 bp region of the mitochondrial genome including the complete mitochondrial control region and adjacent genes. Sequences were analyzed using phylogenetic methods. We identified 51 mitochondrial haplotypes among 82 sun bears. Phylogenetic and network analyses provided strong support for a deep split between Malaysian sun bears and sun bears in East Thailand and Yunnan province in China. The Malaysian lineage was further subdivided into two clades: Peninsular Malaysian and Malaysian Borneo (Sabah). Sun bears from Thailand occurred in both Sabah and Peninsular Malaysian clades. Our study supports recent findings that sun bears from Sundaland form a distinct clade from those in China and Indochina with Thailand possessing lineages from the three clades. Importantly we demonstrate a more recent and clear genetic delineation between sun bears from the Malay Peninsula and Sabah indicating historical barriers to gene flow within the Sundaic region.

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Section: Phylogenetic and Haplotypic Network Analysis Using Bayesian And Maximum Likelihood Treesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitochondrial DNA Profiling Reveals Two Lineages of Sun Bears in East and West Malaysia

Lai

Chew

Gatherer

et al. 2021

Journal of Heredity

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“…Moreover, it was concluded that the camera trap was more likely to detect grizzly bears than the hair trap in the sampling sites where they both were deployed. The same situation occurred for sun bears, when the camera detected more visits than the hair trap [110].…”

Section: Noninvasive Genetics In Bear Conservation and Managementmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…A hair clump is considered a sample worth collecting when it contains a minimum of five underfur hairs on a set of barbs [37,81]. The number of hair follicles from a sample is usually positively associated with the amplification success [63,69,109,110,117,134]. The bunch of hair from one wire is usually considered an individual [78] and is kept separate from others [89].…”

Section: Hair Samples Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The trap checking interval is crucial for the quality of the collected sample. The hair traps were visited at least once per month [84], at 14-day intervals [36,37,78], or even as often as 7 days [61,104,110], to prevent contamination between individuals' DNA. It is recommended to have the trap checked once a week, or at least every 14 days [97].…”

Section: Hair Samples Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Noninvasive Genetics Knowledge from the Brown Bear Populations to Assist Biodiversity Conservation

2022

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Genetic monitoring has proven helpful in estimating species presence and abundance, and detecting trends in genetic diversity, to be incorporated in providing data and recommendations to management authorities for action and policy development. We reviewed 148 genetics research papers conducted on the bear species worldwide retrieved from Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. This review aims to reveal sampling methodology and data collection instructions, and to unveil innovative noninvasively genetic monitoring techniques that may be integrated into the genetic monitoring of a large bear population. In North American studies, hair samples were collected more often than faeces, whereas in Europe, both faeces and hair samples surveys are recommended, usually focusing on faeces. The use of the Isohelix sample collection method, previously tested locally and, if suitable, applied at the national level, could generate numerous advantages by reducing shortcomings. Additionally, dogs trained for faeces sampling could be used in parallel with hunting managers, foresters, and volunteers for sample collection organised during autumn and winter. It was stated that this is the best period in terms of cost-efficiency and high quality of the gathered samples. We conclude that large-scale noninvasive genetic monitoring of a large bear population represents a challenge; nevertheless, it provides valuable insights for biodiversity monitoring and actions to respond to climate change.

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“…Most forest-dwelling species of bears rub on trees and other objects, such as rocks and utility poles, a behavior thought to be a form of intraspecific communication via chemical scent-marking (Laurie and Seidensticker 1977, Karamanlidis et al 2007, Latham et al 2012, Nie et al 2012, Sato et al 2014, Tattoni et al 2015, Filipczyková et al 2017, Tee et al 2020). These rubbing behaviors often involve repeated visits to trees, such that rubs are easily identified by their smooth, discolored bark and the presence of clumps of hair and bite and claw marks (Burst and Pelton 1983).…”

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Rub tree use and selection by American black bears and grizzly bears in northern Yellowstone National Park

Bowersock

Okada

Litt

et al. 2022

Ursus

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Several of the world's bear species exhibit tree-rubbing behavior, which is thought to be a form of scent-marking communication. Many aspects of this behavior remain unexplored, including differences in rub tree selection between sympatric bear species. We compiled rub tree data collected on Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range (USA) and compared rub tree selection of sympatric American black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (U. arctos) at local and landscape scales. During 2017 and 2018, we identified 217 rub trees and detected black bears at 117 rub trees and grizzly bears at 18 rub trees, based on genetic analysis of collected hair samples. Rub trees generally were located in areas with gentle slopes and close to existing animal trails. Trees selected by black bears were typically in forested areas, whereas trees selected by grizzly bears were in forested and more open areas. Use of rub trees varied seasonally and between sexes for black bears, but seasonal data were inconclusive for grizzly bears. Black bears showed preferences for certain tree species for rubbing, but we did not find evidence that rub tree selection by grizzly bears differed among tree species. Both bear species selected trees that lacked branches on the lower portions of tree trunks and the maximum rub height was consistent with the body length of the bear species that used the tree. Although the sample size for grizzly bears was small, identifying the species and sex of bears based on genetic analysis enhanced interpretation of rub tree use and selection by bears. Scent-marking by black bears and grizzly bears on similar rub objects in well-traversed areas likely serves to enhance communication within and between the 2 species.

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An evaluation of noninvasive sampling techniques for Malayan sun bears

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 7 publications

References 32 publications

Mitochondrial DNA Profiling Reveals Two Lineages of Sun Bears in East and West Malaysia

Mitochondrial DNA Profiling Reveals Two Lineages of Sun Bears in East and West Malaysia

Noninvasive Genetics Knowledge from the Brown Bear Populations to Assist Biodiversity Conservation

Rub tree use and selection by American black bears and grizzly bears in northern Yellowstone National Park

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