Individual identification via remote video verified by DNA analysis: a case study of the American black bear

Context Researchers and managers often use DNA analysis and remote photography to identify cryptic animals and estimate abundance. Remote video cameras are used less often but offer an increased ability to distinguish similar-looking individuals as well as to observe behavioural patterns that cannot be adequately captured with still photography. However, the use of this approach in species with minimally distinguishing marks has not been tested. Aims To determine the utility and accuracy of distinguishing characteristics of American black bears, Ursus americanus, observed on remote video for identifying individuals in an open population. Methods We compared individuals identified on video with individuals and their sex identified by DNA analysis of hairs collected from hair traps visited by the bears. Key results We found that remote video could be used to determine the number of male and female black bears sampled by the video cameras. Specifically, we matched 13 individual bear genotypes with 13 video identifications, one genotype for each individual. We correctly matched ~82% of video identifications with all 38 genotypes collected from hair traps. Conclusions We demonstrated that distinguishing characteristics of a cryptic animal in remote video can be used to accurately identify individuals. Remote video complements genetic analysis by providing information about habitat use and behaviour. Implications When remote video cameras can be used to identify individuals, a wealth of other information will subsequently be obtained. Multi-year video-based studies can show sex ratios, and relative physical condition; shed light on fine-scale habitat use, such as when and where animals feed and what they eat; and display social interactions and rare behaviours.

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Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10071123 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1123

Author(s):

Lynn L. Rogers ◽

Linda McColley ◽

Janet Dalton ◽

Jim Stroner ◽

Douglas Hajicek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ursus Americanus ◽

Post Partum ◽

Black Bear ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Black Bears ◽

Free Living ◽

Future Studies ◽

American Black Bear ◽

Eye Opening ◽

American Black

Denning behavior has long remained the least observed aspect of bear behavior. During 2010–2013, we used webcams, microphones, the internet, and 14,602 h of archived video to document the denning behaviors of two adult wild black bears (Ursus americanus) as they gave birth and cared for four litters through six winters in northeastern Minnesota. Observations included types of dens, labor, pre-parturient genital swelling, birthing positions, post-partum vocalizations, mothers removing amniotic tissues and warming newborn cubs in sub-freezing temperatures, frequency of nursing, cubs establishing nipple order, yearlings suckling, the ingestion of snow and icicles, the ingestion of foot pads, urination and defecation in latrine areas, toilet-licking, eye opening, reciprocal tongue-licking, play, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and possible dreaming, and reactions to wildlife intruders. The use of this new method for observing natural bear dens allowed the identification of many behaviors undescribed for any species of wild bear in dens. We also discuss the need for future studies and how the depth and duration of black bear hibernation varies with body condition and geographic region.

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Temporal variation in food habits of the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in the boreal forest of northern Ontario

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v127i2.1442 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (2) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Derrick A. Romain ◽

Martyn E. Obbard ◽

James L. Atkinson

Keyword(s):

Temporal Variation ◽

Food Habits ◽

Ursus Americanus ◽

Late Summer ◽

Black Bear ◽

Black Bears ◽

Northern Ontario ◽

American Black Bear ◽

American Black ◽

American Black Bears

We used scat analysis to investigate temporal variation in the food habits of American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in the boreal forest of northern Ontario. Specifically, we examined whether there was a seasonal shift in foraging over three years (1990–1992) and which foods, if any, varied in occurrence among years. American Black Bears ate foods ranging from green vegetation in the spring to ants in mid-summer and berries and nuts in late summer and fall. Late summer berry forage, especially blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), varied greatly among years. American Black Bears in northern Ontario consumed a variety of foods opportunistically. Understanding how American Black Bears in northern Ontario exploit food resources and how these food items vary among years can provide insights into demographic processes and help wildlife managers better anticipate changes in the structure of the harvest of American Black Bears and in human–bear conflict levels. In northern Ontario, forest management practices that increase the availability of early successional species would be beneficial to American Black Bear populations.

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Black bear marking behaviour at rub trees during the breeding season in northern California

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/1568539x-00003270 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 152 (7-8) ◽

pp. 1097-1111 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

A. Preston Taylor ◽

Maximilian L. Allen ◽

Micaela S. Gunther

Keyword(s):

Breeding Season ◽

Black Bear ◽

Black Bears ◽

The Novel ◽

Video Cameras ◽

Frequent Use ◽

American Black ◽

Marking Behaviour ◽

American Black Bears ◽

Novel Behaviour

We studied the marking behaviour of American black bears (Ursus americanus) during the breeding season 2013. Six remote video cameras captured 529 trapping nights. We collected behaviour, sex, and age class of bears rubbing on trees. Marking events () were observed between 26 April and 27 July with a median of 12 June. The majority (96%) of marking events were performed diurnally. All bears we could accurately identify to sex were males () and 29 of 31 marking bears were adults. The most frequent use of contact with substrate was bipedal marking followed by pede marking, quadrupedal marking. Bears used their back, neck, head, and cheeks in nearly 90% of observations while scratching and biting occurred in less than a third of observations. We documented the novel behaviour ‘groin marking’. This study suggests rub trees are locations for chemical communication through a variety of marking techniques in forested environments.

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Genome assembly and gene expression in the American black bear provides new insights into the renal response to hibernation

10.1101/316596 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Anuj Srivastava ◽

Vishal Kumar Sarsani ◽

Ian Fiddes ◽

Susan M. Sheehan ◽

Rita L. Seger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Genome Assembly ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Black Bear ◽

Early Spring ◽

Black Bears ◽

American Black Bear ◽

American Black

AbstractThe prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising worldwide and 10-15% of the global population currently suffers from CKD and its complications. Given the increasing prevalence of CKD there is an urgent need to find novel treatment options. The American black bear (Ursus americanus) copes with months of lowered kidney function and metabolism during hibernation without the devastating effects on metabolism and other consequences observed in humans. In a biomimetic approach to better understand kidney adaptations and physiology in hibernating black bears, we established a high-quality genome assembly. Subsequent RNA-Seq analysis of kidneys comparing gene expression profiles in black bears entering (late fall) and emerging (early spring) from hibernation identified 169 protein-coding genes that were differentially expressed. Of these, 101 genes were downregulated and 68 genes were upregulated after hibernation. Fold changes ranged from 1.8-fold downregulation (RTN4RL2) to 2.4-fold upregulation (CISH). Most notable was the upregulation of cytokine suppression genes (SOCS2, CISH, and SERPINC1) and the lack of increased expression of cytokines and genes involved in inflammation. The identification of these differences in gene expression in the black bear kidney may provide new insights in the prevention and treatment of CKD.

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