title: Species identification refined by molecular scatology in a community of sympatric carnivores in Xinjiang, China.
abstract: Many ecological studies and conservation management plans employ noninvasive scat sampling based on the assumption that species' scats can be correctly identified in the field. However, in habitats with sympatric similarly sized carnivores, misidentification of scats is frequent and can lead to bias in research results. To address the scat identification dilemma, molecular scatology techniques have been developed to extract DNA from the donor cells present on the outer lining of the scat samples. A total of 100 samples were collected in the winter of 2009 and 2011 in Taxkorgan region of Xinjiang, China. DNA was extracted successfully from 88% of samples and genetic species identification showed that more than half the scats identified in the field as snow leopard (Panthera uncia) actually belonged to fox (Vulpes vulpes). Correlation between scat characteristics and species were investigated, showing that diameter and dry weight of the scat were significantly different between the species. However it was not possible to define a precise range of values for each species because of extensive overlap between the morphological values. This preliminary study confirms that identification of snow leopard feces in the field is misleading. Research that relies upon scat samples to assess distribution or diet of the snow leopard should therefore employ molecular scatology techniques. These methods are financially accessible and employ relatively simple laboratory procedures that can give an indisputable response to species identification from scats.
authors: The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Laguardia
authors: The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China;The Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
authors: Fang-Lei
authors: FL
authors: Shi
authors: The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. kunshi@bjfu.edu.cn.
authors: Kun
authors: K
authors: Shi
authors: The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China;Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS UK.
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Riordan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D045989:Felidae / Q000235:genetics*; D005589:Foxes / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity; D019596:Wolves / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
keywords: Carnivore; DNA analysis; Noninvasive genetics; Scats; Snow leopard