Comparisons of image-matching software when identifying pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae) individuals from a reintroduced population

Abstract

Photographic identification of individual animals is a non-invasive and cost-effective method that can provide demographic information on wild populations. This study aims to compare two photo-matching algorithms (Wild- ID and I3S-Spot) using a reintroduced population of pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae) in the UK as a case study. We compared the following parameters 1) sex and age, 2) image quality, 3) image collection size and 4) processing time to evaluate successful image match rates. There were no significant differences in successful match rates found between sex and age groups. Wild-ID was more sensitive to image quality than I3S-Spot. There was a significant negative relationship between image collection size and successful match rates for I3S-Spot, however, no such relationship for Wild-ID. The findings of our study can be used by conservation practitioners to reduce workload and improve accuracy during population monitoring activities.