NatureScot Research Report 910 - Can genetic techniques help estimate capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) population size and survival rates - a pilot study to develop survey methods
Genetic profiling has not previously been used to estimate the size of the Scottish capercaillie population. This pilot study investigated whether genetic methods could provide a feasible alternative to current field methods. Genetic markers were successfully used to identify individuals but a low recapture rate meant capture mark recapture techniques could not be used to robustly estimate population size from the current sample set. Thus, the need for and cost of a more intense sampling regime prevents this approach from being a viable alternative to more traditional methods at present.
Pages: 39
Published: 2018
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