Abstract
Identifying predators of threatened and endangered species is important for understanding and reducing the impacts of predation. Visible evidence collected from a carcass alone is often insufficient to accurately identify predator species. The DNA from the predator left on the carcass allows for a definitive identification of predator species associated with the carcass, but DNA can be difficult to isolate independently from the prey. We developed field collection and molecular protocols for amplifying canid and felid predator DNA from saliva on fisher (Martes pennanti) carcasses without amplifying fisher DNA itself. We tested the protocol on fisher carcasses suspected of having been killed by a bobcat (Lynx rufus), mountain lion (Puma concolor), coyote (Canis latrans), and domestic dog. We successfully amplified and sequenced DNA from these 4 predator species, confirming predation by them on fishers. We confirmed that these protocols could also identify other felid and canid predators of several other small NorthAmerican carnivores.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 659-663 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2013 |
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Keywords
- Fisher
- Forensic
- Intraguild predation
- Martes pennanti
- Polymerase chain reaction
- Predator
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nature and Landscape Conservation
Cite this
Molecular techniques for identifying intraguild predators of fishers and other north american small carnivores. / Wengert, Greta M.; Gabriel, Mourad W.; Foley, Janet E; Kun, Teri; Sacks, Benjamin.
In: Wildlife Society Bulletin, Vol. 37, No. 3, 2013, p. 659-663.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular techniques for identifying intraguild predators of fishers and other north american small carnivores
AU - Wengert, Greta M.
AU - Gabriel, Mourad W.
AU - Foley, Janet E
AU - Kun, Teri
AU - Sacks, Benjamin
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Identifying predators of threatened and endangered species is important for understanding and reducing the impacts of predation. Visible evidence collected from a carcass alone is often insufficient to accurately identify predator species. The DNA from the predator left on the carcass allows for a definitive identification of predator species associated with the carcass, but DNA can be difficult to isolate independently from the prey. We developed field collection and molecular protocols for amplifying canid and felid predator DNA from saliva on fisher (Martes pennanti) carcasses without amplifying fisher DNA itself. We tested the protocol on fisher carcasses suspected of having been killed by a bobcat (Lynx rufus), mountain lion (Puma concolor), coyote (Canis latrans), and domestic dog. We successfully amplified and sequenced DNA from these 4 predator species, confirming predation by them on fishers. We confirmed that these protocols could also identify other felid and canid predators of several other small NorthAmerican carnivores.
AB - Identifying predators of threatened and endangered species is important for understanding and reducing the impacts of predation. Visible evidence collected from a carcass alone is often insufficient to accurately identify predator species. The DNA from the predator left on the carcass allows for a definitive identification of predator species associated with the carcass, but DNA can be difficult to isolate independently from the prey. We developed field collection and molecular protocols for amplifying canid and felid predator DNA from saliva on fisher (Martes pennanti) carcasses without amplifying fisher DNA itself. We tested the protocol on fisher carcasses suspected of having been killed by a bobcat (Lynx rufus), mountain lion (Puma concolor), coyote (Canis latrans), and domestic dog. We successfully amplified and sequenced DNA from these 4 predator species, confirming predation by them on fishers. We confirmed that these protocols could also identify other felid and canid predators of several other small NorthAmerican carnivores.
KW - Fisher
KW - Forensic
KW - Intraguild predation
KW - Martes pennanti
KW - Polymerase chain reaction
KW - Predator
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84899085649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84899085649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/wsb.287
DO - 10.1002/wsb.287
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84899085649
VL - 37
SP - 659
EP - 663
JO - Wildlife Society Bulletin
JF - Wildlife Society Bulletin
SN - 0091-7648
IS - 3
ER -