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Sampling error in non-invasive genetic analyses of an endangered social carnivore

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Abstract

Modern non-invasive genetic technologies are useful in studies of rare and difficult-to-observe species. An examination of endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) faecal DNA revealed that 11.4% of samples were assigned incorrectly to an individual. Sampling mistakes in the field are not normally considered in non-invasive genetic assessments, but can be a significant source of error. To ensure meticulous data interpretation, non-invasive genetic studies should track and report sampling inaccuracies.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Smithsonian Institution, University of Pretoria, Rotterdam Thandiza Fund, Humboldt State University, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Knowsley Safari Park, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Pittsburgh Zoo and Morris Animal Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20008, USA

    Penny A. Spiering & Jesús E. Maldonado

  2. Center for Species Survival, Conservation and Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA

    Penny A. Spiering, Micaela Szykman Gunther & David E. Wildt

  3. Centre for Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

    Penny A. Spiering & Michael J. Somers

  4. Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA

    Micaela Szykman Gunther

  5. Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

    Michael J. Somers

Authors
  1. Penny A. Spiering
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  2. Micaela Szykman Gunther
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  3. David E. Wildt
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  4. Michael J. Somers
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  5. Jesús E. Maldonado
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Correspondence to Penny A. Spiering.

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Spiering, P.A., Gunther, M.S., Wildt, D.E. et al. Sampling error in non-invasive genetic analyses of an endangered social carnivore. Conserv Genet 10, 2005–2007 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-009-9880-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-009-9880-6

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