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Demo‐genetic analysis of a recovering population of otters in Central Sweden
Author(s) -
Björklund M.,
Arrendal J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2008.00214.x
Subject(s) - lutra , population , population viability analysis , effective population size , population size , inbreeding , ecology , biology , fishing , geography , extinction (optical mineralogy) , small population size , commercial fishing , endangered species , fishery , demography , genetic diversity , otter , habitat , paleontology , sociology
Abstract We performed a demo‐genetic population viability analysis on a recovering population of otters Lutra lutra in Central Sweden, using data on population size, survival and genetic data from microsatellites. Population data were obtained from genotyping faeces. At present, the size and genetic variability of the population is increasing. We found that survival to first reproduction was the most crucial demographic parameter, and that even slight changes downward in this parameter, might lead to a declining population trajectory. Human factors that can affect mortality are traffic, fishing equipment and traps, and we argue that efforts to minimize road kills by means of safe passages as well as careful fishing efforts in streams and lakes would reduce the risk of extinction. In general, even though the population is now growing and has no inbreeding problem, its small abundance could make it vulnerable to chance events and environmental perturbations.