Individual Identification of Large Felids in Field Studies: Common Methods, Challenges, and Implications for Conservation Science

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Duan Biggs¹  Dinal Samarasinghe²  Keren S. Pereira⁴  Luke Gibson⁶  Alexander R. Braczkowski⁷ 

[1] Centre for Complex Systems in Transition, School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa;Environmental Foundation Limited, Colombo, Sri Lanka;Resilient Conservation, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia;School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States;School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China;School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa;

关键词: camera traps;    direct photographic surveys;    genetic sampling;    individual identification;    large felids;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fevo.2022.866403

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Large felids represent some of the most threatened large mammals on Earth, critical for both tourism economies and ecosystem function. Most populations are in a state of decline, and their monitoring and enumeration is therefore critical for conservation. This typically rests on the accurate identification of individuals within their populations. We review the most common and current survey methods used in individual identification studies of large felid ecology (body mass > 25 kg). Remote camera trap photography is the most extensively used method to identify leopards, snow leopards, jaguars, tigers, and cheetahs which feature conspicuous and easily identifiable coat patterning. Direct photographic surveys and genetic sampling are commonly used for species that do not feature easily identifiable coat patterning such as lions. We also discuss the accompanying challenges encountered in several field studies, best practices that can help increase the precision and accuracy of identification and provide generalised ratings for the common survey methods used for individual identification.

【 授权许可】

Unknown