TY  - JOUR
A1  - Martin, Edith Andrea
A1  - Heurich, Marco
A1  - Mueller, Joerg
A1  - Bufka, Ludek
A1  - Bubliy, Oleg
A1  - Fickel, Jörns
T1  - Genetic variability and size estimates of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) population in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem
JF  - Mammalian biology = Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde
N2  - Even though recent years have shown a slow recovery of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) populations from their previous lows, the species is still highly endangered in most parts of its European distribution range. Surprisingly, only a few studies have so far assessed the species’ genetic variability and population density, and they have mostly been carried out only in small territories. In Germany, most otter populations live in protected areas whose management urgently needs data on population sizes and densities as well as on genetic variability of the species under their custody. Thus, we analyzed genetic variability and assessed size and density of the otter population in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem, an area that had not been included in the few previous molecular studies. The study area comprised of 1500 km2, divided into fifteen squares of 10 × 10 km2, each of which was sampled in two collection periods. Overall we collected 261 fecal samples (spraints), of which 60 (23%) could be genotyped at least at eight microsatellite loci, yielding 38 distinct otter genotypes. The low genotyping success rate was the result of high ambient temperature at the time of sampling rather than that of high humidity. The population did not show signs of a past bottleneck, indicating a small yet stable population size. Population size was estimated to be 118 (CI95% 64–163) individuals, with a mean density of 1 animal per 8.5 km2 or 3.1 km river length. Our results imply that hunting, requested by local fishpond owners, should remain banned to avoid a decline in (effective) population size.
KW  - Eurasian otter
KW  - Bohemian forest ecosystem
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2016.12.001
SN  - 1616-5047
SN  - 1618-1476
VL  - 86
SP  - 42
EP  - 47
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Jena
ER  -