Genotyping‐in‐thousands by sequencing (GT‐seq) of non‐invasive fecal and degraded samples: a new panel to enable ongoing monitoring of Canadian polar bear populations

The northern part of the Cordillera Central in Colombia has been recognized as a region of particular relevancy in vertebrates biodiversity. We provide a list of non-volant mammal species in Jaguas and San Carlos, two protected areas around hydroelectric projects on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Central in Antioquia. As part of an ongoing monitoring project, we obtained records from a standardized survey in 2011 and sporadic surveys in 2014–2015 (capture and non-invasive methods), and from the revision of voucher specimens. From 132 records we generated a list of 34 species, 22 species in Jaguas and 27 in San Carlos, belonging to 20 families and seven orders. We record the occurrence of four endemic and four threatened species, including the endemic and Endangered Tamarin, Saguinus leucopus, highlighting the importance of these protected areas for mammal conservation in this highly diverse region.

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Toward a non-invasive inuit polar bear survey: Genetic data from polar bear hair snags

Wildlife Society Bulletin ◽

10.1002/wsb.283 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 394-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Peter Van Coeverden De Groot ◽

Pamela B. Y. Wong ◽

Christopher Harris ◽

Markus G. Dyck ◽

Louie Kamookak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polar Bear ◽

Genetic Data ◽

Non Invasive

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Polar bear use of a persistent food subsidy: Insights from non-invasive genetic sampling in Alaska

Ursus ◽

10.2192/ursus-d-12-00030.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 148-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Jason Herreman ◽

Elizabeth Peacock

Keyword(s):

Polar Bear ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Genetic Sampling ◽

Food Subsidy

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Genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) of non-invasive fecal and degraded samples: a new panel to enable ongoing monitoring of Canadian polar bear populations

10.22541/au.162542614.43403803/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kristen Hayward ◽

Rute Clemente-Carvalho ◽

Evelyn Jensen ◽

Peter Van Coeverden de Groot ◽

Marsha Branigan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polar Bear ◽

Population Monitoring ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Community Based Programs ◽

Genetic Patterns ◽

Promising Solution ◽

Cost Efficient

Genetic monitoring using non-invasive samples provides a complement or alternative to traditional population monitoring methods. However, Next Generation Sequencing approaches to monitoring typically require high quality DNA and the use of non-invasive samples (e.g. scat) is often challenged by poor DNA quality and contamination by non-target species. One promising solution is a highly multiplexed sequencing approach called Genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq), which can enable cost-efficient genomics-based monitoring for populations based on non-invasively collected samples. Here, we develop and validate a GT-seq panel of 324 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) optimized for genotyping of polar bears based on DNA from non-invasively collected fecal samples. We demonstrate 1) successful GT-seq genotyping of DNA from a range of sample sources, including successful genotyping of 85.7% of non-invasively collected fecal samples determined to contain polar bear DNA, and 2) that we can reliably differentiate individuals, ascertain sex, assess relatedness, and resolve population structure of Canadian polar bear subpopulations based on a GT-seq panel of 324 SNPs. Our GT-seq data reveal similar spatial-genetic patterns as previous polar bear studies but at lesser cost per sample and using non-invasively collected samples, indicating the potential of this approach for population monitoring. This GT-seq panel provides the foundation for a non-invasive toolkit for polar bear monitoring and contribute to community-based programs – a framework which may serve as a model for wildlife management and contribute to conservation and policy for species worldwide.

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Interpretations of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Tracks by Inuit Hunters: Inter-rater Reliability and Inferences Concerning Accuracy

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v125i2.1197 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 140 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. B. Y. Wong ◽

P. Van Coeverden de Groot ◽

C. Fekken ◽

H. Smith ◽

M. Pagès ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polar Bear ◽

Ursus Maritimus ◽

Small Samples ◽

Polar Bears ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

High Agreement ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Monitoring Programs ◽

Size Estimates

Due to their tracking experience in pursuing Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Inuit hunters could provide non-invasive estimates of Polar Bear characteristics from tracks, and Polar Bear monitoring programs could benefit from Inuit input. We determined i) inter-rater reliability of estimates of the sex, age, and size of Polar Bears, and estimates of the age of tracks made by a group of nine Inuit hunters who interpreted 78 tracks; ii) we made preliminary comparisons of sex and size estimates with conventional (scientific) estimates; iii) we catalogued the Polar Bear hunting experience and track interpretation techniques of nine Inuit hunters; and iv) we explored relationships between hunting experience and the ability to interpret tracks. The group of Inuit hunters made reliable and consistent estimates of Polar Bear sex, age, and size, as well as estimates of age of track (after data from one participant was excluded). Although our comparisons are based on small samples, our findings suggest that Inuit hunters may be accurate in estimating the sex of Polar Bears (74.42% agreement with genetic determinations) and the size of Polar Bears from their tracks. Our data indicate shared tracking techniques used by hunters may explain high agreement in making specific estimates, while individual hunting experience and particular methods used to interpret tracks may lead to inter-rater reliability and accuracy in interpreting tracks.

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X-ray microtomography

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100107058 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 998-999

Author(s):

H.W. Deckman ◽

B.F. Flannery ◽

J.H. Dunsmuir ◽

K.D' Amico

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Internal Structure ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Tissue Structure ◽

Individual Element ◽

X Ray ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Panoramic Imaging ◽

Three Dimensional Images

We have developed a new X-ray microscope which produces complete three dimensional images of samples. The microscope operates by performing X-ray tomography with unprecedented resolution. Tomography is a non-invasive imaging technique that creates maps of the internal structure of samples from measurement of the attenuation of penetrating radiation. As conventionally practiced in medical Computed Tomography (CT), radiologists produce maps of bone and tissue structure in several planar sections that reveal features with 1mm resolution and 1% contrast. Microtomography extends the capability of CT in several ways. First, the resolution which approaches one micron, is one thousand times higher than that of the medical CT. Second, our approach acquires and analyses the data in a panoramic imaging format that directly produces three-dimensional maps in a series of contiguous stacked planes. Typical maps available today consist of three hundred planar sections each containing 512x512 pixels. Finally, and perhaps of most import scientifically, microtomography using a synchrotron X-ray source, allows us to generate maps of individual element.

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