Connor Kurz

Connor Kurz

Dec 21, 2019

Group 6 Copy 21
0

Initial Fecal DNA Results

In confirming species of bear; black bear or grizzly bear, mtDNA amplification has a success rate of ~30-50%. In confirming individual identities and sexes, nuclear DNA amplification has a ~10-20% success rate. We were able to successfully amplify mtDNA from 16 samples and 93% (n=15) yielded as black bear and the remaining 7% (n=1) yielded as striped skunk. Sex and individual ID analyses yielded a lower success rate (n=2), one male and one female. Inferences could not be made on sex or individual variation due to poor DNA amplification success. These results were received in September 2019.

Scat and collection vials


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About This Project

Forest roads fragment wildlife habitat and can be a significant stressor for wildlife species. We want to understand the influence roads have on animals. We are examining how forest roads affected the stress response of bears in the Blackfoot Valley, MT. We used scat-detection dogs to collect scats and analyzed the stress hormones they contain. We used these as measures of physiological stress, nutritional stress, and reproductive activity.

More Lab Notes From This Project

Blast off!

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