Article
Ecology
Shannon L. White, Nicholas M. Sard, Harold M. Brundage, Robin L. Johnson, Barbara A. Lubinski, Michael S. Eackles, Ian A. Park, Dewayne A. Fox, David C. Kazyak
Summary: This study evaluates the influence of bias in genetic pedigree reconstruction on the estimation of breeding population size using genetic-based approaches. The results indicate that pedigree errors can be minimized with adequate genetic data. Even with limited data, the simulation analysis can still provide informative estimates of population size, which can guide conservation decisions.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Crinan Jarrett, Daniel T. Haydon, Juan M. Morales, Diogo F. Ferreira, Francis Alemanji Forzi, Andreanna J. Welch, Luke L. Powell, Jason Matthiopoulos
Summary: Estimation methods that combine different types of data can improve accuracy and precision of parameter estimates and predictions. Integrating mark-recapture data with passive acoustic detections improves estimates of population size. Acoustic data collection could be a cost-efficient addition to traditional mark-recapture population estimation.
Article
Ecology
Samuel Prystupa, Gregory R. McCracken, Robert Perry, Daniel E. Ruzzante
Summary: Arctic Grayling populations in the Yukon Territory of Canada were estimated using genetic markers and the close-kin mark-recapture method, with similar results obtained from different analysis tools, demonstrating the potential for informing management and conservation policies for this species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
O. Jarnecka, E. A. Bauer, W. Jagusiak
Summary: This study described the population structure and inbreeding level of Polish Red Cattle (PRC), with an average inbreeding of 4% and 23.8% inbred animals. The results indicate the potential disruption of the balance in small populations like PRC, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of endangered populations.
Article
Parasitology
Danilo O. Carvalho, Rachel Morreale, Steven Stenhouse, Daniel A. Hahn, Maylen Gomez, Aaron Lloyd, David Hoel
Summary: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the sterile insect technique in suppressing the population of Aedes aegypti and identifies the biological parameters for the technique. The findings provide a foundation for the operational phase of mosquito population suppression.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sebastian Wacker, Hans J. Skaug, Torbjorn Forseth, Oyvind Solem, Eva M. Ulvan, Peder Fiske, Sten Karlsson
Summary: Genetic methods, particularly Close-Kin Mark-Recapture (CKMR), can be effective alternatives in estimating population sizes. The study focused on evaluating CKMR for estimating spawner abundance in Atlantic salmon, revealing the impact of age, sex, spatial, and temporal sampling bias on estimates. Results showed that CKMR estimates were robust to bias after correction, offering a moderate sampling effort solution for estimating spawner abundance in Atlantic salmon populations.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Robin S. Waples, Pierre Feutry
Summary: Research has found that genetic methods and close-kin mark-recapture methods differ in estimating population size, but combining the two can provide a better assessment of both ecological and evolutionary processes.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Michito Shimozuru, Mina Jimbo, Keisuke Adachi, Kei Kawamura, Yuri Shirane, Yoshihiro Umemura, Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka, Masanao Nakanishi, Mayu Kiyonari, Masami Yamanaka, Yukihiro Amagai, Ayaho Ijuin, Tomoki Sakiyama, Shinsuke Kasai, Takane Nose, Masataka Shirayanagi, Hifumi Tsuruga, Tsutomu Mano, Toshio Tsubota, Keita Fukasawa, Hiroyuki Uno
Summary: Robust estimates of population parameters were obtained for a high-density brown bear population on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Japan, using DNA-based pedigree reconstruction. The study provided insights into the breeding and adult population sizes, as well as the minimum population size, by genotyping a large number of individuals and determining parentage.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Bruna Mendes, Teresa Sampaio, Marta A. Antunes, Hugo Magalhaes, Filipe Costa e Silva, Carla Borges, Fernanda Simoes, Ana Usie, Maria Helena Almeida, Antonio Marcos Ramos
Summary: This study investigates the potential of using SNP genotyping to predict kinship and reconstruct pedigrees in a natural cork oak population. By genotyping a total of 494 trees, the study reveals a large number of relationships among individuals, demonstrating the importance of SNP genotyping in cork oak breeding and conservation programs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeremy Larroque, Niko Balkenhol
Summary: Estimating wildlife population size is crucial for conservation and management, but it is challenging for many species. Recent developments in kinship-based methods provide an alternative approach to estimate abundance using genetic samples. These methods have been successfully applied in commercially important fish species but may not meet assumptions for terrestrial game species. In a simulation study of wild boar and red deer populations, we found that these kin-based methods can accurately estimate population sizes under certain conditions, but biases associated with hunting practices need further investigation.
Article
Entomology
Thomas Wassmer, Elise Armstrong
Summary: Little is known about the population structure and mobility of the temperate dung beetle, Phanaeus vindex. In this study, we estimated the population size, longevity, and dispersal of the beetles within and between pastures. We found low population estimates and limited connectivity between two vulnerable populations. This highlights the importance of funding land stewardship for small-scale cattle farmers to conserve native dung beetles and maintain ecosystem services.
JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Kyle Dettloff
Summary: This paper compares the statistical performance of common closed population mark-recapture estimators through simulation, finding that a new bias-adjusted version of the Schumacher-Eschmeyer estimator outperforms the original estimator at small sample sizes. The authors propose minimum sample sizes to achieve approximately unbiased estimates, providing guidance for practitioners using these estimators for simple closed population mark-recapture data.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Rassim Khelifa, Hayat Mahdjoub, Leithen K. M'Gonigle, Claire Kremen
Summary: The use of high-speed videos (HSV) improves resighting rates and survival rate estimations for dragonfly species, compared to conventional eye observations. Including HSV in studies increased resights and survival probability estimates, enhancing the credibility intervals for these demographic parameters in dragonfly species. This method shows potential for expanding research possibilities on traditionally difficult-to-monitor species, such as insects and birds.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paul Wesson, Nicholas P. Jewell, Willi McFarland, M. Maria Glymour
Summary: Capture-recapture methods estimate the size of hidden populations by leveraging the proportion of overlap of the population on independent lists. Log-linear modeling relaxes the assumption of list independence, but best model selection criteria remain uncertain. Incorrect model selection can deliver incorrect and even implausible size estimates.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Laura Casas, Fran Saborido-Rey
Summary: Estimating the population abundance in large, highly mobile and dispersed populations is challenging for sustainable management of marine resources. Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) is a promising alternative method that utilizes genetic samples to determine kinship relationships and estimate demographic parameters. It has the potential to provide baseline data for unassessed fish stocks and reduce uncertainty in regularly evaluated stocks.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah M. Durant, Matthew S. Becker, Scott Creel, Sultana Bashir, Amy J. Dickman, Roseline C. Beudels-Jamar, Laly Lichtenfeld, Ray Hilborn, Jake Wall, George Wittemyer, Lkhagvasuren Badamjav, Stephen Blake, Luigi Boitani, Christine Breitenmoser, Femke Broekhuis, David Christianson, Gabriele Cozzi, Tim R. B. Davenport, James Deutsch, Pierre Devillers, Luke Dollar, Stephanie Dolrenry, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Egil Droege, Emily FitzHerbert, Charles Foley, Leela Hazzah, J. Grant C. Hopcraft, Dennis Ikanda, Andrew Jacobson, Dereck Joubert, Marcella J. Kelly, James Milanzi, Nicholas Mitchell, Jassiel M'Soka, Maurus Msuha, Thandiwe Mweetwa, Julius Nyahongo, Elias Rosenblatt, Paul Schuette, Claudio Sillero-Zubiri, Anthony R. E. Sinclair, Mark R. Stanley Price, Alexandra Zimmermann, Nathalie Pettorelli
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Ecology
Scott Creel, Jassiel M'soka, Egil Droge, Eli Rosenblatt, Matthew S. Becker, Wigganson Matandiko, Twakundine Simpamba
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2016)
Article
Ecology
Elias Rosenblatt, Scott Creel, Matthew S. Becker, Johnathan Merkle, Henry Mwape, Paul Schuette, Twakundine Simpamba
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2016)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul Schuette, Ngawo Namukonde, Matthew S. Becker, Fred G. R. Watson, Scott Creel, Clive Chifunte, Wigganson Matandiko, Paul Millhouser, Elias Rosenblatt, Carolyn Sanguinetti
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2018)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Scott Creel, Wigganson Matandiko, Paul Schuette, Elias Rosenblatt, Carolyn Sanguinetti, Kambwiri Banda, Milan Vinks, Matthew Becker
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thandiwe Mweetwa, David Christianson, Matt Becker, Scott Creel, Elias Rosenblatt, Johnathan Merkle, Egil Droge, Henry Mwape, Jones Masonde, Twakundine Simpamba
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Scott Creel, Matt Becker, Egil Droge, Jassiel M'soka, Wigganson Matandiko, Eli Rosenblatt, Thandiwe Mweetwa, Henry Mwape, Milan Vinks, Ben Goodheart, Johnathan Merkle, Teddy Mukula, Daan Smit, Carolyn Sanguinetti, Chase Dart, David Christianson, Paul Schuette
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elias Rosenblatt, Scott Creel, Paul Schuette, Matthew S. Becker, David Christianson, Egil Droge, Thandiwe Mweetwa, Henry Mwape, Johnathan Merkle, Jassiel M'soka, Jones Masonde, Twakundine Simpamba
Article
Ecology
Milan A. Vinks, Scott Creel, Paul Schuette, Elias Rosenblatt, Wigganson Matandiko, Carolyn Sanguinetti, Kambwiri Banda, Ben Goodheart, Matthew Becker, Clive Chifunte, Chuma Simukonda
Article
Ecology
Milan A. Vinks, Scott Creel, Paul Schuette, Matthew S. Becker, Elias Rosenblatt, Carolyn Sanguinetti, Kambwiri Banda, Ben Goodheart, Kim Young-Overton, Xia Stevens, Clive Chifunte, Neil Midlane, Chuma Simukonda
Summary: Large carnivores, such as African lions in Kafue National Park, are experiencing range contraction and population declines due to prey depletion. While lion survival rates remain relatively good, recruitment of cubs is poor, signaling low prey density in the area. The age structure and average pride size of lion populations can serve as indicators of the impact of prey depletion on the population.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Joshua Blouin, Jacob DeBow, Elias Rosenblatt, James Hines, Cedric Alexander, Katherina Gieder, Nicholas Fortin, James Murdoch, Therese Donovan
Summary: The decline in moose populations due to winter tick infestation is influenced by habitat selection and elevation, with winter ticks being largely immobile during the fall questing and spring drop-off periods. Habitat selection by adult female moose during the fall questing period impacts the survival of their offspring, with successful mothers choosing different habitats from those whose calves perish. These findings provide important insights for management strategies aimed at reversing declining moose populations.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ben Goodheart, Scott Creel, Matthew S. Becker, Milan Vinks, Paul Schuette, Kambwiri Banda, Carolyn Sanguinetti, Elias Rosenblatt, Chase Dart, Anna Kusler, Kim Young-Overton, Xia Stevens, Alstone Mwanza, Chuma Simukonda
Summary: The study found that the population of African wild dogs in the study area was not competitively released due to the low density of lions, but rather impacted by prey scarcity, indicating that the number of wild dogs is influenced by an optimal balance of prey and competitors.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jacob Debow, Joshua Blouin, Elias Rosenblatt, Cedric Alexander, Katherina Gieder, Walter Cottrell, James Murdoch, Therese Donovan
Summary: Moose populations in the northeastern United States have declined significantly, primarily due to the effects of winter ticks. The best supported models show that tick infestation negatively impacts moose survival, and reducing tick effects can be achieved through managing moose density and habitat.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Milan A. Vinks, Scott Creel, Elias Rosenblatt, Matthew S. Becker, Paul Schuette, Ben Goodheart, Carolyn Sanguinetti, Kambwiri Banda, Clive Chifunte, Chuma Simukonda
Summary: Leopard populations are declining globally, but in the north-central Kafue National Park, Zambia, leopard density and survival rates remain good despite prey depletion, possibly due to low lion density and weaker impact of prey depletion on leopard-preferred prey. This suggests that the effects of prey depletion on carnivore species can be more complex than simply causing a uniform decline. Further investigation is warranted.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elias Rosenblatt, Jacob DeBow, Joshua Blouin, Therese Donovan, James Murdoch, Scott Creel, Will Rogers, Katherina Gieder, Nick Fortin, Cedric Alexander
Summary: Research focused on the impact of environmental factors on stress and nutrition in moose calves, predicting winter survival rates with models including tick infestation, body weight, and habitat type as significant influences.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)