| Summary: | The rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta is confronted with several threats, which increases the importance of monitoring programs. Its biology and behaviour enables us to explore it with non-invasive methods. We collected feathers and faeces during one growing season in an Eastern Alpine area. From these, we extracted DNA and did an individual identification using 10 microsatellite markers. We estimated the population size and compared the molecular results with those from a classic method where singing cocks were counted, to determine territories. We examined the flexibility of territories and the mobility of the birds. Additionally, we did population genetics. We found 70 Individuals in the investigated area, with more males than females. The molecular data were highly compatible with the data from the classic method, which indicates that both might be well suitable methods to investigate territories. They showed overlapping as well as rather separate territories. We found a tendency that hens move farther than cocks but the difference was not significant. Population genetics showed that the investigated individuals belong to one connected population. There were no signs of inbreeding. The methods used here may provide the opportunity to conduct intense monitoring programs without creating negative impacts on the birds. Nina Feistmantl, BSc Auf dem Umschlag: Lagopus muta Nordkette Innsbruck Die Arbeit basiert auf einem gleichnamigen Artikel Masterarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2021
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