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

Lanszki, József and Hidas, András and Szentes, Katalin and Révay, T. and Lehoczky, I. and Weiss, S. (2008) Relative spraint density and genetic structure of otter (Lutra lutra) along the Drava River in Hungary. MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY, 73 (1). pp. 40-47. ISSN 1616-5047

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Abstract

In this study we used genetic based approaches to estimating 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 two-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 50 km-long study area were closely related (Dm ranged between 0.08 and 0.21).

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