Data from: Enhanced understanding of predator–prey relationships using molecular methods to identify predator species, individual and sex ...

• Main Authors: Mumma, Matthew A., Soulliere, Colleen E., Mahoney, Shane P., Waits, Lisette P.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2013
• Subjects: Noninvasive Genetic Techniques; Rangifer tarandus; Canis latrans; Wildlife Management; Canada; Lynx
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sd871; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.sd871

Predator species identification is an important step in understanding predator-prey interactions, but predator identifications using kill site observations are often unreliable. We used molecular tools to analyse predator saliva, scat and hair from caribou calf kills in Newfoundland, Canada to identify the predator species, individual and sex. We sampled DNA from 32 carcasses using cotton swabs to collect predator saliva. We used fragment length analysis and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA to distinguish between coyote, black bear, Canada lynx and red fox and used nuclear DNA microsatellite analysis to identify individuals. We compared predator species detected using molecular tools to those assigned via field observations at each kill. We identified a predator species at 94% of carcasses using molecular methods, while observational methods assigned a predator species to 62.5% of kills. Molecular methods attributed 66.7% of kills to coyote and 33.3% to black bear, while observations assigned 40%, 45%, 10% ... : GenotypesThe file contains genotypes of black bears (Ursus americanus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) detected at caribou calf kill sites in Newfoundland, Canada.Dryad File.xlsx ...