Non-invasive genetic sampling is one of our most powerful and ethical tools for threatened species population monitoring: a reply to Lavery et al.
Date
2022-02-11
Authors
Banks, Sam C.
Piggott, Maxine
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Abstract
Noninvasive genetic sampling (genetic tagging) of individuals is one of the most powerful and ethical tools for threatened species population monitoring. A recent review of the
threats to Australia’s rock-wallabies (Petrogale spp.) and the methods for their monitoring
stated that noninvasive genetic sampling (faecal DNA analysis) is not viable for estimating population size and trends for species in this genus. We feel that it is important to
respond as such statements have the potential to stife the development and application of
an important tool for threatened species monitoring and lead to lost opportunities for collection of high-quality data to inform conservation of these species. We take the opportunity to describe the breadth of successful application of noninvasive genetic sampling for
monitoring rock wallabies and other mammal taxa, the research and development requirements for successful implementation of noninvasive DNA-based population monitoring
and thoughts on why this powerful approach has not been implemented to its full potential
in many jurisdictions. We need to be careful not to dismiss one of the most powerful and
ethical threatened species monitoring tools due to lack of familiarity with the requirements
for its implementation.
Description
Keywords
Genetic tagging, Petrogale, Threatened species, Mark-recapture, Minimallyinvasive sampling
Citation
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Source
Biodiversity and Conservation
Type
Journal article
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Access Statement
Open Access
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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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