How Behavior of Nontarget Species Affects Perceived Accuracy of Scat Detection Dog Surveys

Detection dogs, specially trained domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), have become a valuable, noninvasive, conservation tool because they remove the dependence of attracting species to a particular location. Further, detection dogs locate samples independent of appearance, composition, or visibility allowing researchers to collect large sets of unbiased samples that can be used in complex ecological queries. One question not fully addressed is why samples from nontarget species are inadvertently collected during detection dog surveys. While a common explanation has been incomplete handler or dog training, our study aimed to explore alternative explanations. Our trials demonstrate that a scat’s genetic profile can be altered by interactions of nontarget species with target scat via urine-marking, coprophagy, and moving scats with their mouths, all pathways to contamination by nontarget species’ DNA. Because detection dogs are trained to locate odor independent of masking, the collection of samples with a mixed olfactory profile (target and nontarget) is possible. These scats will likely have characteristics of target species’ scats and are therefore only discovered faulty once genetic results indicate a nontarget species. While the collection of nontarget scats will not impact research conclusions so long as samples are DNA tested, we suggest ways to minimize their collection and associated costs

Birds are islands for parasites

Understanding the mechanisms driving the extraordinary diversification of parasites is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Co-speciation, one proposed mechanism that could contribute to this diversity is hypothesized to result from allopatric co-divergence of host-parasite populations. We found that island populations of the Galápagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis) and a parasitic feather louse species (Degeeriella regalis) exhibit patterns of co-divergence across variable temporal and spatial scales. Hawks and lice showed nearly identical population genetic structure across the Galápagos Islands. Hawk population genetic structure is explained by isolation by distance among islands. Louse population structure is best explained by hawk population structure, rather than isolation by distance per se, suggesting that lice tightly track the recent population histories of their hosts. Among hawk individuals, louse populations were also highly structured, suggesting that hosts serve as islands for parasites from an evolutionary perspective. Altogether, we found that host and parasite populations may have responded in the same manner to geographical isolation across spatial scales. Allopatric co-divergence is likely one important mechanism driving the diversification of parasites

A multispecies corridor in a fragmented landscape: Evaluating effectiveness and identifying high-priority target areas

While Misiones, Argentina contains one of the largest remnants of Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ecoregion, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, only ~50% of this native forest is protected. Each protected area is at risk of becoming an island of native forest surrounded by a matrix of altered habitats due to ongoing land conversion. In an effort to maximize long-term connectivity between existing protected areas, DeMatteo [1] used a multifaceted cost analysis to determine the optimal location for the region’s first multispecies corridor using noninvasive data on jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), southern tiger cats (Leopardus guttulus), and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus). This work builds on this framework by integrating new field data that broadens the scope of species-specific data across the region’s heterogeneous landscape, which varies in vegetation, disturbance, human proximity, and protective status. In addition, two different land use layers are compared across the distributions of the five carnivores, the overlap in their independent distributions, and their relationship to the multispecies corridor. Interpretation of these land use data to species-specific habitat suitability goes beyond DeMatteo [1], with a subdivision of suitability into marginal and optimal areas. This refined scale allows a reanalysis of key areas in the multispecies corridor, where connectivity was previously defined as at highly-at-risk, allowing for a more directed development of management strategies. These analyses and their interpretation extend beyond northern-central Misiones, as the threats are not unique to this region. The need to develop management strategies that balance human-wildlife needs will continue to grow as humans expand their footprint. The techniques applied in this analysis provide a way to identify key areas that require specific management strategies, either through restoration, protection, or a combination of both

Using detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat to expand knowledge and assist felid conservation in Misiones, Argentina

Many carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs; however, anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats. Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on carnivores in a variety of habitat types; however, a single survey effort is typically limited to species that have similar body size, habitat use, and movement patterns and individual identification of animals is not always possible. We evaluated whether scat detection dogs could effectively survey for four wide-ranging felids that vary in these characteristics: jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), and oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus). From June to October 2009 and May to August 2011, a detection dog-handler team detected 588 scats, from which 176 unique genotypes were detected. We assigned sex to 84.7% of the genotyped scats and identified 55 individuals multiple times. The effectiveness of these noninvasive techniques (detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat) not only opens the door for additional studies in areas that were previously difficult or impossible with standard survey techniques, but also provides conservationists with a set of tools that overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of camera traps alone.Fil: Dematteo, Karen. University of Missouri; Estados UnidosFil: Rinas, Miguel A.. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables; ArgentinaFil: Argüelles, Carina Francisca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Holman, Bernardo E.. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; ArgentinaFil: Davenport, Barbara. Packleader Dog Training LLC; Estados UnidosFil: Parker, Patricia G.. University of Missouri; Estados UnidosFil: Eggert, Lori S.. University of Missouri; Estados Unido

Summary of predictor variables tested and used in the two species-specific ecological niche models generated in this work.

Summary of predictor variables tested and used in the two species-specific ecological niche models generated in this work.</p

The potential species richness (PSR) with habitat suitability subdivided into marginal and optimal habitat.

The potential species richness (PSR) with habitat suitability subdivided into marginal and optimal habitat.</p

The potential species richness (PSR) is represented as a summary of the proportion (%) of marginal and optimal habitat defined as suitable in the northern-central zone for Model 1 and Model 2.

Presented is the overlap of the potential species richness (PSR) with defined marginal and optimal habitats for each model with the DeMatteo [1] corridor, specifically the connectors or those areas defined as having the lowest levels of PSR and habitat integrity. Areas in the connectors are defined by the type of habitat (marginal or optimal), the number of overlapping species (1–5), and whether habitat restoration and/or protection are needed. The remainder of the corridor is generalized as the core buffer, as it corresponds to the DeMatteo [1] model.</p

Details of the 1085 scat swabs with confirmed species identity.

For the 1034 felid samples and 51 bush dog samples, the location and zone (North-Central) are summed by species. For protected areas, the total area is reported in parentheses. (DOCX)</p