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Relative spraint density and genetic structure of otter (Lutra lutra) along the Drava River in Hungary

Relative Losungsdichte und genetische Struktur von Fischottern (Lutra lutra) entlang der Drau in Ungarn

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Abstract

In this study, we used genetic-based approaches to estimate population size and structure of Eurasian otter along the Drava River in Hungary, and compared these results to traditional survey-based methods. The relative spraint density of otter was estimated based on the number of fresh (Df) and total number (Dt) of spraints collected on standard routes over a 2-year period. Nine microsatellite loci were screened, generating 17 individual otter genotypes composed of 45 different alleles. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.53 to 0.89 and observed heterozygosity from 0.25 to 0.92. The mean density (Dg) estimated over six different sites was 0.17 individuals per km of shoreline. A close correlation was found between the number of genotypes and spraint counts along a standard route (fresh spraints: rP = 0.85, P<0.01; total spraints rP = 0.76, P<0.05). All genotypes found within the 50km-long study area were closely related (Dm ranged between 0.08 and 0.21).

Zusammenfassung

In dieser Untersuchung verwendeten wir genetische Methoden, um die Populationsgröße und -struktur des eurasischen Fischotters am Fluß Drau in Ungarn abzuschätzen. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit jenen aus traditionellen Untersuchungen verglichen. Die relative Losungsdichte wurde berechnet auf Grund der Anzahl von frischem (Df) und der Anzahl von gesamter Losung (Dt), die entlang von Standardrouten in einem zweijährigen Zeitraum gesammelt wurden. Neun Mikrosatelliten wurden verwendet, die insgesamt 45 Allele aufwiesen. Dadurch konnten 17 individuelle Genotypen unterschieden werden. Die erwartete Heterozygotie reichte von 0.53 bis 0.89, und die beobachtete Heterozygotie reichte von 0.25 bis 0.92. Die mittlere Dichte (Dg) über sechs Stellen war 0.17 Individuen/km. Es gab eine signifikante Korrelation zwischen der Anzahl von Genotypen und der Anzahl gefundener Losung entlang von Standardrouten (frische Losung: rP = 0.85, P<0.01; gesamte Losung rP = 0.76, P<0.05). Alle Genotypen, die innerhalb des 50 km langen Untersuchungsgebietes gefunden wurden, waren nah mit einander verwandt (Dm reichte von 0.08 bis 0.21).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecological Research Group, University of Kaposvár, P.O. Box 16, 7401, Kaposvár, Hungary

    J. Lanszki

  2. Genetic Laboratory, Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Isaszegi Str. 200, 2100, Gödöllö, Hungary

    A. Hidas, K. Szentes & T. Révay

  3. Genetic Laboratory, Research Institute for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Irrigation, P.O. Box 47, 5541, Szarvas, Hungary

    I. Lehoczky

  4. Institute of Zoology, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria

    S. Weiss

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  1. J. Lanszki
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Correspondence to J. Lanszki.

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Lanszki, J., Hidas, A., Szentes, K. et al. Relative spraint density and genetic structure of otter (Lutra lutra) along the Drava River in Hungary. Mamm Biol 73, 40–47 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2007.08.005

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