Monitoring of the North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Using Molecular Analysis of Scat PDF Download
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Author: Michael D. Brandhagen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 170
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Author: Michael D. Brandhagen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 170
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Author: Barbara McElwee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Feces
Languages : en
Pages : 118
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"North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) were extirpated throughout all of Western New York due to habitat loss, pollution, and trapping. Between 1995 and 2000, 279 river otters were released throughout Western New York, 31 of which were released in the Genesee river watershed. Since their release there have been no follow-up studies on the river otters until the RIT River Otter Lab was formed in 2004. Researchers surveyed three local creeks to record data on toilet site locations and collect otter feces in order to perform dietary and genetic analyses. Through the use of molecular scatology I extracted DNA from feces in order to determine the amount of genetic diversity of the reintroduced river otter population. I also utilized otter scat samples from British Columbia and the Thousand Islands. Using a QIAGEN QIAamp Stool Mini Kit I attempted to extract mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA from 177 samples, roughly 16% of which were successfully amplified and sequenced. From the sequenced scat samples I identified two otter, 14 raccoon, one beaver, one coyote, and three fish: common carp, golden redhorse, and shorthead redhorse from the Genesee watershed. I have also sequenced one sample as otter and one sample as pink salmon from British Columbia and five samples as bullhead catfish from the Thousand Islands. It is believed that the samples that were sequenced as fish were likely from otters. I then utilized microsatellites, and I included a raccoon sample as well. To my surprise the raccoon sample worked with the river otter microsatellite primer, despite a 25% divergence between the two species' cytochrome b sequences. I determined that out of ten river otter microsatellite primers, three river otter primers do not work with raccoons, five primers produced identical or nearly identical sequence, and two primers need more research to determine if they work with raccoons. These results stress the importance of confirming species identification from fecal samples using mitochondrial DNA prior to the use of microsatellites to avoid misleading results."--Abstract.
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) was extirpated throughout much of its range but is now recovering in many areas. Consequently, there is a need to determine river otter occupancy and habitat associations. We conducted sign surveys from January to April 2008 and 2009 in eastern Kansas to assess how local- and landscape-scale habitat affects river otter occupancy and how survey methods and habitat affect the detectability of river otter sign. Multiple observers surveyed 3-9 400-m stretches of stream and reservoir shorelines for 110 randomly-selected sites and measured local-scale (within a 100 m buffer of site) habitat variables (e.g., stream order, sinuosity, proportion of land cover types) and landscape-scale (Hydrological Unit Code 14 watershed) habitat variables (e.g., road density, shoreline diversity, proportion of land cover types). We then modeled occupancy and detection probability as a function of these covariates using Program PRESENCE. The overall probability of occupancy accounting for detection probability was 0.329. The best-fitting model indicated river otter occupancy increased with the proportion of woodland cover and decreased with the proportion of cropland and grassland cover at the local scale. The best-fitting model also indicated occupancy increased with decreased shoreline diversity, waterbody density, and stream density at the landscape scale, possibly because of the influence of large reservoirs in the watershed. Occupancy was not affected by land cover or human disturbance at the landscape scale, perhaps due to our relatively homogeneous study area or because river otters are habitat generalists. Detection probability for 400-m surveys was highest in mud substrates (p = 0.600) and lowest in snow (p = 0.180) and litter substrates (p = 0.267). Detection probability for scat was more than double that for tracks, and detection probabilities were 17-64% lower for novice observers than experienced observers. Detection probability also increased with survey length. Sign surveys are a useful technique for monitoring many species, including river otters, and accounting for detection probability will improve estimation of occupancy. Furthermore, understanding the ecological factors and the scale important to river otter occurrence will be useful in identifying areas for restoration and management efforts.
Author: Kevin Ross Kimber
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 554
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Author: Shannon Michael Crowley
Publisher:
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Category : Otters
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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I investigated patterns in river otter (Lontra canadensis) diet, habitat selection, and behavior at latrine sites in central British Columbia during the ice-free season in 2007 and 2008. I used an Information Theoretic Model Comparison approach to investigate the relationships among otter diet and temporal/spatial parameters and habitat characteristics and the presence, consistency, and intensity of otter activity. Data were collected every two weeks at latrine sites visited by otters. I used a combination of scat content and stable-isotope analysis to investigate the contributions of different prey items to otter diet. Binary and count models were used to predict the presence of individual prey items and number of scats, respectively. A combination of fish spawning period, water body type, and individual lake best described the presence of salmonids, minnows, and insects in otter scat. The relative effects of season and water body varied considerably among the three prey groups found in scats. Scat deposition was positively influenced by a time period when no fish were spawning (early July) and to the kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning period (early September). In general, the stable-isotope analysis agreed with the results of the scat content analysis showing a dominance of fish in the diet of otter and a small contribution from other prey sources. The stable-isotope analysis, however, suggested a larger contribution from sockeye salmon and birds relative to data from the scat content analysis. I followed the diet analyses with an investigation of factors that influenced the selection of latrine sites and activity of otter at multiple spatial and behavioural scales. For fine-scale analyses, I performed field measurements at latrine sites and spatially adjacent random sites. At the course landscape scale, I used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine environmental variables that described the broader Tezzeron and Pinchi lake study area. Working at these two spatial scales, I used binary models to predict the presence and consistency (high vs. low use) of latrine sites, and count models to predict the intensity (e.g., number of scat) of latrine site use. Relative to the coarse-scale analysis, I found that habitat characteristics at the fine scale were better at predicting latrine sites. In general, fine-scale selection was influenced by parameters that described visual obscurity, larger trees, and characteristics of conifer trees. The presence of latrine sites at the coarse scale was not accurately described by any of the variables I tested. The consistency and intensity of activity at latrine sites at the coarse scale, however, was best predicted by characteristics of aquatic habitat beneficial to fish. The findings of this study provide the baseline information necessary for developing techniques for monitoring otter populations and assessing otter habitat that can be incorporated into management, monitoring, and conservation strategies.
Author: Kelsey Lawton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : North American river otter
Languages : en
Pages : 38
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"North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) once thrived in large numbers in most wetlands of North America. However, due to human pressures such as trapping, habitat loss and pollution, these carnivorous mammals have decreased in numbers significantly in the last 100+ years, becoming extirpated in many traditionally inhabited areas. The use of genetic data from molecular techniques (PCR, DNA sequencing) can guide the identification and management of populations used for relocations to better maintain genetic diversity in both wild and captive otter populations and help inform the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) breeding programs. Management organizations are concerned with the possibility of multiple paternity in the management of small captive populations. Therefore, molecular tests that show positive paternity/parentage are useful for managing small populations. This study deployed a suite of ten previously developed microsatellite loci as tests of parentage in a few families and to show a proof of concept that the set of loci would be suitable for Lontra canadensis populations. The study confirmed parentage for one family unit and cast out sire parentage for another. This study used (1122 of 1140 bp) mitochondrial DNA sequences from the cytochrome b locus to reconstruct relationships of 31 haplotypes from many US localities from both AZA and wild populations totaling over 100 individuals (~40% of the captive AZA population). Haplotype relationships reveal (1) 5 haplogroups, (2) shallow divergences (0-0.5%) among lineages and (3) a moderate divergence (0.7-1%) between haplogroup V from the Atlantic US coast and the remaining US haplogroups. The data reveal the AZA population maintains a mixture of 24 haplotypes and 5 haplogroups, with most animals within one large haplogroup (II) and fewer in the remaining haplogroups identified. The NYS samples represent 7 unique haplotypes plus 2 shared haplotypes (with AZA) within 3 haplogroups."--Abstract.
Author: Deborah Dorothy Boege-Tobin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 139
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I studied the spacing patterns and habitat utilization by reintroduced northern river otters, Lontra canadensis, at two sites in Missouri because previous studies of otters indicate, plasticity of a species social structure will likely be due to the tactics employed in acquiring resources in any given area. Seven hypotheses were tested by employing radio-tracking, habitat assessment and geographic information system approaches: (1) home range (HR) and core area (CA) size differ by sex; (2) HR and CA size differ in breeding vs. non-breeding seasons; (3) percent range overlap differs by sex; (4) habitat utilization, as indicated by latrine use, differs seasonally; (5) primary prey type(s) found in scat differ seasonally; (6) environmental characteristics of areas used extensively by otters (latrines, dens, haul-outs) differ from adjacent, unused sites; and (7) stream-order effects and features associated with core area use are similar between two disjointed field sites, and can thus be used along with GIS-driven identifiers to generate predictions regarding suitable habitat for Midwestern river otter populations. Evidence is presented on differences in ranging patterns of otters by location, sex, and seasonality, as well as differences in core area use and accompanying habitat characteristics for the two populations. The following hypotheses were corroborated: (1) male otters had larger HRs and CAs than female otters; (2) female otters maintained small, non-overlapping home ranges; (3) males exhibit a greater percentage of inter- and intra-sexual HR and CA overlap than females; and (4) HR and CA size, and percent overlap differ between a large, riverine ecosystem and a small, meandering stream ecosystem. However, hypotheses examining temporal use of space by otters were not supported. In conclusion, this study suggested that northern river otters exhibit a variety of spacing patterns in different parts of their range, similar to those discovered in other solitary carnivores. Seasonal use of space was different from that typically found in solitary carnivores; differences may be related to habitat characteristics associated with stream order and wetland ecosystems. Overall, although introduced otters came from disjointed regions differing in habitat features and ecological pressures, reintroduced otters have done very well in Missouri.
Author: Jenna Klingsick
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ISBN:
Category : Bottlenose dolphin
Languages : en
Pages :
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Climate driven events including precipitation and coastal/tidal flooding, along with coastal development, continue to increase across the Southeast region of the United States. These factors facilitate the accumulation of trace elements via non-point source runoff into coastal waterways. Sentinel species, such as the bottlenose dolphin, are utilized in order to study environmental health of coastal ecosystems. This study aims to determine if North American river otters can also be used as a sentinel species due to their comparable traits with dolphins. Liver and hair (from otters) were collected and analyzed for trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn). Between otter and dolphin liver samples trace elements Co, Hg, Ni, Se, and Zn were found to be significantly different. Average concentrations of Hg, Ni, Se, and Zn were higher in dolphins than in otters while Co was higher in otters. A significant positive correlation was found for Hg and Mn between otter liver and hair samples. For dolphins, a significant positive relationship was determined between length and Hg (R2 = 0.509) and Se (R2 = 0.478) concentrations. Significant differences were found for Cu and Fe between male and female otter liver samples. Males were found to have higher average Fe concentrations while females were found to have higher average Cu concentrations. The differences of trace element concentrations between otters and dolphins could be explained by differences in physiological concentrations required for cellular functions and the possibility that otters excrete trace elements through molting mechanisms. These findings indicate that river otters should be considered a sentinel species that can be studied in order to monitor environmental health and provide assessments to humans living near coastal ecosystems.
Author:
Publisher:
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Category : Lutra canadensis
Languages : en
Pages : 142
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Author: Nicholas Forman
Publisher:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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River otter (Lontra canadensis) populations in Pennsylvania experienced a range reduction and subsequent expansion of the remnant population, as well as re-colonization of parts of the state through reintroduction efforts and expansion of neighboring populations. There are currently no estimates of population size or densities for river otter populations in Pennsylvania, and large-scale monitoring efforts are hampered by the elusive behavior of river otter. Non-invasive genetic sampling has been used to survey river otter populations, but given the river otter's unique distribution across the landscape, estimation of population size and densities has been limited to linear habitats in river systems or along coastlines. Spatial capture-recapture models incorporate spatial information from captures into the estimation process, and estimates are more explicitly linked to the area in which observations occur. I analyzed the efficacy of non-invasive genetic sampling to identify individual river otter and I used spatial capture-recapture models to estimate river otter population size and density, and in northeastern Pennsylvania.I surveyed nine counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, opportunistically collecting samples from latrine sites on public and private land. Latrines were visited on three to four occasions at 6--14 day intervals, clearing latrines after each visit, in a capture-recapture framework. I amplified DNA extracted from the samples at ten microsatellite markers, to generate a genotype for each sample. I matched genotypes using program CERVUS to identify individuals. My first analysis compared amplification success rates and error rates for samples of different type and time of environmental exposure or freshness, and compared my amplification success rates to other studies. Previous studies on river otter had lower genotyping success rates than those for other otter species, and did not follow a common sampling protocol despite laboratory studies for the river otter and recommendations from field studies on other otter species. My amplification success rates were most comparable to those from studies on otter species conducted in the winter with samples collected in a storage buffer. I observed similar patterns of success rates as other studies for different sample types and samples classified for different categories related to lengths of environmental exposure, but had higher success rates for every category. Amplification error rates for the different sample types and environmental exposure categories were not reported in the literature, but I included them in the study as another measure of sample quality and to better inform future studies. The importance of comparing success rates and error rates is to better inform future studies on the preferred sampling protocol, and give measures for the amount of effort necessary for studies looking to use non-invasive genetic sampling to identify individual river otter for population analyses.To estimate population size and density in spatial capture-recapture models, I compiled spatial encounter histories given the location and occasion of collection of each sample assigned to an individual. I also used full likelihood models in program MARK to test for differences in capture and recapture probabilities. I reported the first density estimates for a river otter population in northeastern Pennsylvania (2.1 otter/100 km2, 1.4--5.0 otter/100 km2 95% Asymptotic Wald-type CI). The estimates of capture and recapture probabilities in the MARK model with those parameters estimated separately indicated that capture and recapture probabilities were not different, but that the probability of capturing an individual did vary by occasion. I observed a difference in density estimates for my SCR and MARK models. I would recommend using SCR models because of the spatial justification for density estimates, and the ability to include landscape covariates to build more informed models, which may prove to be useful for river otter given their unique space use.Future studies conducting non-invasive genetic sampling for river otter should conduct their studies in winter and use a storage buffer for samples. Sample type and length of environmental exposure should be considered when considering the amount of sampling effort to derive a genotype for identification of individual otter. NGS and SCR can be used to generate reliable population or density estimates, but as I documented from my MARK estimates of capture probability, numerous sampling occasions are desirable because of the variation in capture probability between occasions. Spatial capture-recapture models are preferable for river otter in Pennsylvania because the area for which density is being estimated is directly tied into the model, which is ideal given the diversity of linear and non-linear habitat types in northeastern Pennsylvania.
