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The Accuracy of Scat Identification in Distribution Surveys: American Mink, Neovison Vison, in the Northern Highlands of Scotland

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The Accuracy of Scat Identification in Distribution Surveys: American Mink, Neovison Vison, in the Northern Highlands of Scotland Eur J Wildl Res DOI 10.1007/s10344-009-0328-6 ORIGINAL PAPER The accuracy of scat identification in distribution surveys: American mink, Neovison vison, in the northern highlands of Scotland Lauren A. Harrington & Andrew L. Harrington & Joelene Hughes & David Stirling & David W. Macdonald Received: 15 July 2009 /Revised: 17 August 2009 /Accepted: 17 September 2009 # Springer-Verlag 2009 Abstract Distribution data for elusive species are often Introduction based on detection of field signs rather than of the animal itself. However, identifying field signs can be problematic. Accurate knowledge of species distribution is vitally We present here the results of a survey for American mink, important for wildlife conservation, protection, and man- Neovison vison, in the northern highlands of Scotland to agement. However, recorded distributions can reflect the demonstrate the importance of verifying field sign identi- distribution of recorders rather than of the species. fication. Three experienced surveyors located scats, which Furthermore, for many elusive species, it is often possible they identified as mink scats, at seven of 147 sites surveyed to survey only for indirect indices (such as hairs, scats and “possible” mink scats at a further 50 sites. Mitochon- (faeces), or footprints; Gibbs 2000), but these depend on drial DNA was successfully extracted from 45 of 75 (60%) identification of field signs that may be uncertain or scats, collected from 31 of the 57 “positive” sites; inaccurate. Basing management strategies on data subject sequencing of amplified DNA fragments showed that none to these inaccuracies may diminish their efficacy and prove of these scats was actually of mink origin. We consider the both logistically and financially costly. It is possible to implications of erroneous survey data and the potential improve the accuracy of distribution data through system- waste of resources and misdirection of conservation/ atic surveys and now, due to developments in genetic management actions. We discuss potential methods that analysis techniques, through DNA identification of field may be useful to verify field sign identification, including signs (e.g. Darling and Blum 2007). This study demon- the use of DNA analysis, and stress that verification is strates the importance of using DNA analysis to verify field crucial to ensure rigorous and reliable survey data. sign identification when surveying for an invasive mustelid species in the Scottish Highlands. Keywords DNA analysis . Genetic identification . American mink Neovison vison (formerly Mustela vison; Mustelids . Neovison . Sign surveys . Scats Wilson and Reeder 2005) were introduced to Britain in the 1930s for fur farming (reviewed in Macdonald and Harrington 2003). As a result of escapees, mink are present Communicated by W. Lutz as feral populations throughout most of the country, with L. A. Harrington (*) : A. L. Harrington : J. Hughes : the apparent exception of the northernmost highland region D. W. Macdonald of Scotland (National Biodiversity Network: data.nbn.org. Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, uk). However, prior to this study, it was not clear whether it University of Oxford, was mink or recorders that were absent from the north Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, OX13 5QL Oxford, UK highlands. e-mail: [email protected] Traditionally, there have been no species-specific sur- veys for American mink in the UK, rather, mink signs are D. Stirling recorded as part of national surveys for otters Lutra lutra Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, (e.g. Strachan 2007) and water voles Arvicola terrestris EH16 4SA Edinburgh, UK (e.g. Jefferies 2003). Recent otter surveys (Green and Green Eur J Wildl Res 1997; Strachan 2007) reported a low incidence of mink on the west coast, and the Dornoch Firth (57° 52′ N, 4° 21′ W) signs in the north of Scotland, but because survey protocol in the east (Fig. 1), between March and June 2008. dictated that the search of a particular site was terminated The coastline differs between the west and the east, when otter sign was located, it is possible that mink sign being predominantly rocky on the west coast, characterised went unobserved (this is particularly likely in areas such as by high mountainous ground and moorland, and sandy on the north of Scotland where otters and their signs are at the east, where the land use is largely agricultural. Inland relatively high density; Kruuk 2006; Strachan 2007). areas are predominantly high mountainous ground, alpine The north of Scotland, with its associated islets and heath, open heather moorland or rough grassland, and offshore islands, provides habitats for several bird species blanket bog, rising to >1,000 m above sea level, inter- of conservation concern (e.g. common gull Larus canus, spersed with numerous streams, rivers, freshwater lochs black grouse Tetrao tetrix, RSPB 2002). The northern (lakes), and lochans (small lakes). Sea lochs are also found highlands also host some of the last remaining extensive on the coast. Rivers and streams are typically fast-flowing, populations of water voles in the UK (e.g. Fraser et al. 2005). oligotrophic, and prone to spate after heavy rainfall. Mink predation has had devastating impacts on the breeding Otters are present throughout the northern highlands success of seabirds on the west coast of Scotland (Craik (Strachan 2007); foxes Vulpes vulpes,stoatsMustela 1997) and is largely responsible for the near extinction of the erminea, and pine martens are also present (National water vole in England (Strachan et al. 1998; Jefferies 2003). Biodiversity network: data.nbn.org.uk). Polecats and feral There are, therefore, important conservation reasons for ferrets are patchily distributed and thought to be at low controlling American mink in this region. density (Birks 2008). To inform regional management plans, we designed and Temperatures in the area vary between <16–19°C (mean carried out a survey to assess the distribution of American daily maximum in summer) to 2°C to −1°C (mean daily mink in the northern highlands of Scotland. We used sign minimum in winter), with a mean of <40 to >100 days of survey methods (cf. Bonesi and Macdonald 2004) as this is snow per year, on the coast and the highlands, respectively, the most practical technique for large-scale, one-off between November and April. Average annual rainfall is surveys. Standard sign survey methods for mink involve 1,700 mm in the west and 700 mm in the east (www. searches for both footprints and scats along riverbanks. metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ns/). Finding footprints is dependent on substrate (Bonesi and Macdonald 2004), and therefore, over all areas, scats tend Survey strategy and methods to be the most frequently found field sign. Given the presence of otters, pine martens Martes martes, polecats Surveyors Surveys were carried out by ALH and two other Mustela putorius, and feral ferrets Mustela furo in the experienced surveyors. All surveyors had several years region and the potential for misidentifying scats, we used experience carrying out mink (and otter) surveys in a DNA analysis of scats to verify the species of origin (see variety of habitats, in the UK, Estonia, and Patagonia. A Hansen and Jacobsen 1999). trainee accompanied the surveyors but did not identify field One limitation of scat surveys is that the distribution and signs. abundance of scats depend not only on the abundance of the animal but also on its marking behaviour. In mink (as in many Scat surveys We surveyed 2-km stretches of waterway other animals), marking behaviour is poorly understood and (coastline, river, or lake edge) at each survey site. We chose may be affected by the presence of competitors (Harrington 2-km survey sites (rather than the standard 600 m used in 2007;Garciaetal.2009). To validate our sign survey results, national surveys, e.g. Strachan 2007), because this we used tracking rafts (described in Reynolds et al. 2004)as corresponds with the average home range size of a mink an additional, independent method, at a subsample of survey (Dunstone 1993; Yamaguchi and Macdonald 2003; sites. Tracking rafts comprise a tracking plate beneath a Harrington and Macdonald 2008), thus, increasing the tunnel floating at the rivers' edge and therefore, depend only chance of locating signs if mink are present. One survey on the mink passing through the raft tunnel. site was selected per stretch of 8×1-km consecutive national grid squares. The grid squares were measured around the coastline for the coastal survey sites and along Methods roads for the inland survey sites (in the latter case, the nearest waterway to the selected point on the road was Survey area surveyed). Roads in the region tend to follow river valleys and therefore, provide relatively easy access to the main We surveyed the coastline and inland area of the northern rivers and their tributaries for the majority of the inland highlands of Scotland, north of Ullapool (57° 56′ N, 5° 11′ W) area. Survey sites were not located systematically but were Eur J Wildl Res Fig. 1 Mink survey sites. The map shows sign survey sites a (a) and tracking raft locations (b). Each sign survey site (shown by a circle) was a 2-km stretch of waterway and searched for footprints and scats deemed to belong to American mink. Rafts (shown by a square) were left in situ for approxi- mately 6 weeks and checked for tracks at least twice. Surveys were carried out between March and May 2008 Ullapool Dornoch Firth b selected to target sites deemed to be optimal for detecting efforts in such a way as to increase the probability of mink signs (i.e. at the confluence of streams and rivers, detecting signs (if they were present), whilst also maintain- or for coastal sites, at river inlets) within each stretch of ing independence among sites (one mink is unlikely to be 8×1-km squares.
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