Wombat coprogenetics: enumerating a common wombat population by microsatellite analysis of faecal DNA

Abstract

Genetic identification of individual animals from remotely collected DNA samples provides an alternative approach for the collection of data on populations of elusive or rare species. In this study we used DNA isolated from field-collected faecal samples to estimate the size of a population of common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) surviving in suburban Melbourne parkland. A pilot study revealed that microsatellite genotypes obtained from DNA in faeces were often incorrect, but that by carrying out three replicate polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) for each sample, we were able to reliably identify individuals. We conducted a mark-recapture study using the Mh-jackknife model to estimate the size o..