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Project update - March 2006
Snow
Leopard Science Takes a Step Forward
By Tom McCarthy, Snow Leopard Trust
GGA AAC TTG
GAA AGC AAA ACC
No, that is not a typographical error. That
is an actual portion of snow leopard genetic code (DNA) and it
will soon be used to help answer a very basic but important question
about this elusive cat.
Most snow leopard biologists would agree
that one of the most difficult tasks they have is estimating snow
leopard numbers in any particular area. One of the few methods
available over the past decade was sign surveys; simple counts
of snow leopard tracks, scrapes, feces, etc. found along a walked
transect. But, at best, sign surveys provide only a rough indication
of relative abundance not actual numbers of cats, and comparing
results between areas or over time presents many problems. Yet
having a sound estimate of population size is crucial for conservation.
Being able to detect changes in populations is also essential
to gauge how effective conservation efforts are.
Non-invasive methods for estimating snow
leopard numbers have received much attention in recent years,
and the use of remote trap cameras has shown promise, most recently
in western China in a project funded by DSWF (see photo). Now
researchers at the Seattle-based Snow Leopard Trust are about
to add another non-invasive technique to the snow leopard scientist's
toolbox - genetics.
Using genetics is not new to wildlife research.
"Genetic fingerprinting" has been used to obtain population
estimates for bears, cougars, whales, otters, elephants and several
other species since the early 1990s. Scientists simply collect
hair or feces in the field and there is enough DNA in the sample
to identify and then count individuals. But it has not been used
for snow leopards, in part because there was so little genetic
variation in the tiny bits of snow leopard DNA that scientists
look at - it was as if every cat had nearly the same "fingerprints".
After many months of work, in cooperation with the geneticists
at Laboratory for Ecological and Conservation Genetics at the
University of Idaho, we have finally identified several sections
of snow leopard DNA with enough variation to make counting the
cats using genetic fingerprinting possible. The genetic sequence
at the top of the page is one of those. So, it should now be possible
to test easily collected field specimens, such as feces and shed
hairs, and obtain both individual and sex identification.
While we are optimistic about the new method,
we have to tell you that success rates for genetically identifying
individuals from fecal samples of other species is only about
40%. Not great in other words. We don't yet know what the success
rates will be for snow leopards - but we will soon find out. We
have just submitted 85 fecal samples to the Idaho laboratory for
genetic assessment. These samples were collected in Kyrgyzstan
and China in conjunction with the trap camera studies funded by
DSWF. The results will be evaluated to compare what level of information
the camera study and the genetics each provide on snow leopard
numbers, along with the costs and other considerations of employing
each method. Results should be available by later this spring
and news will be shared with readers of Wildlife Matters.
Although we thoroughly enjoy reporting our
news here to DSWF supporters, we know there is an anxious contingent
of snow leopard researchers and conservationists waiting for these
results as well. Never before have we been so close to a method
of keeping track of snow leopard numbers. And more to the point,
not until now have we been able to tell exactly how effective
conservation efforts have been. That long string of A-T-G-C's
at the top of this page may not mean much by itself, but what
a mystery it is about to solve!
As always, this work could not be done without
DSWF and the support of people like you. Science, especially cutting
edge work like this, never comes without a hefty price tag. How
much you ask? We have invested many thousand pounds developing
this method so far. Money well spent. But each of the 85 samples
the geneticists are now testing will cost us about £90.
Snow leopards just won't give up any of
their secrets easily!
For more information contact:
Tom McCarthy, Ph.D.
Science and Conservation Director
Snow Leopard Trust
tmccarthy@snowleopard.org
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
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of DSWF. Click here for more information
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