Sampling error in non-invasive genetic analyses of an endangered social carnivore

Spiering, Penny A.; Gunther, Micaela Szykman; Wildt, David E.; Somers, Michael J.; Maldonado, Jesús E.

doi:10.1007/s10592-009-9880-6

Cited by 15 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This population began successfully breeding and expanding in 2001 after the release of artificially assembled packs into a single protected area. By August 2008, further reintroductions, natural dispersals, and pack formations boosted the population to 88 dogs in eight different groups living in three protected areas (Spiering et al 2009). During the study period, the population included 257 individuals that comprised ten packs and 36 total pack years, with successful breeding occurring in 32 of these years.…”

Section: Study Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wild dog tissue and blood samples were obtained opportunistically during immobilization operations for translocation and collaring and when a wild dog carcass was located (Spiering et al 2009). Non-invasive collection of feces allowed securing representative samples from a significantsized population (n=113 wild dog individuals and ten packs).…”

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sample collection and detailed DNA extraction protocols are described in Spiering et al (2009). In brief, DNA was extracted from scat using a QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit and from tissue and blood using a QIAamp Tissue and Blood Kit (QIAGEN).…”

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These loci are commonly used for determining parentage in domestic dogs and, therefore, were selected because they are widely distributed throughout the genome and highly polymorphic. The polymerase chain reaction protocols are discussed in Spiering et al (2009). A combination of the multiple tubes approach (Taberlet et al 1996) and the maximum likelihood method (Miller et al 2002) were used to overcome the potential for fecal DNA genotyping errors (Spiering et al 2009).…”

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The polymerase chain reaction protocols are discussed in Spiering et al (2009). A combination of the multiple tubes approach (Taberlet et al 1996) and the maximum likelihood method (Miller et al 2002) were used to overcome the potential for fecal DNA genotyping errors (Spiering et al 2009). To detect and eliminate sampling error, we compared matched tissue or blood with feces, analyzed duplicate samples for individuals, and used a significant number of microsatellite markers to verify unique individuals in the dataset (Waits et al 2001).…”

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Reproductive sharing and proximate factors mediating cooperative breeding in the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Spiering

Somers

Maldonado

et al. 2009

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although dominant African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are generally believed to be the sole breeders within a pack, earlier behavioral and endocrine data suggest that reproduction could be shared with subordinates. We performed an extensive behavioral, demographic, and genetic evaluation of a wild dog population in South Africa to examine the level of such sharing and the proximate mechanisms influencing reproductive contributions of each sex. While a majority of pups were born to dominants because of a lack of subordinate potential breeders, we discovered a substantial portion of reproductive sharing between dominants and subordinates. Compared with alpha females that mated annually, subordinate beta females bred in 54.5% of years whereas thetas never bred. The three topranking males all sired pups (56.0%, 32.0%, and 12.0%, respectively) when three or more adult males were present. With only two pack males, alpha and beta individuals shared reproduction nearly equally (55.2% and 44.8%, respectively), and litters of mixed paternity were discovered on eight of 15 (53.3%) occasions. A skewed adult sex-ratio and frequent alpha mortalities for females and behavioral aggression in males allowed most individuals to attain dominant status in their lifetime, creating a constantly shifting social hierarchy. Genetic parentage results corresponded to reported hormone profiles, suggesting physiological suppression in some lower-ranked individuals of both sexes. Thus, a combination of demographic, behavioral, and hormonal proximate factors mediates reproductive partitioning in wild dogs. We conclude that reproductive sharing can be significant in this species, especially for males that have less robust suppressive mechanisms than females.

show abstract

Section: Study Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Genetic Sampling and Genotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Reproductive sharing and proximate factors mediating cooperative breeding in the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Spiering

Somers

Maldonado

et al. 2009

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

What are snow leopards really eating? Identifying bias in food-habit studies

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Declining prey populations are widely recognized as a primary threat to snow leopard (Panthera uncia) populations throughout their range. Effective snow leopard conservation will depend upon reliable knowledge of food habits. Unfortunately, past food-habit studies may be biased by inclusion of nontarget species in fecal analysis, potentially misinforming managers about snow leopard prey requirements. Differentiation between snow leopard and sympatric carnivore scat is now cost-effective and reliable using genetics. We used fecal mitochondrial DNA sequencing to identify scat depositors and assessment bias in snow leopard food-habit studies. We compared presumed, via field identification, and genetically confirmed snow leopard scats collected during 2005 and 2012 from 4 sites in Central Asia, using standard forensic microscopy to identify prey species. Field identification success varied across study sites, ranging from 21% to 64% genetically confirmed snow leopard scats. Our results confirm the importance of large ungulate prey for snow leopards. Studies that fail to account for potentially commonplace misidentification of snow leopard scat may mistakenly include a large percentage of scats originating from other carnivores and report inaccurate dietary assessments. Relying on field identification of scats led to overestimation of percent occurrence, biomass, and number of small mammals consumed, but underestimated values of these measures for large ungulates in snow leopard diet. This clarification suggests that the conservation value of secondary prey, such as marmots (Marmota spp.) and other small mammals, may be overstated in the literature; stable snow leopard populations are perhaps more reliant upon large ungulate prey than previously understood.

show abstract