Title
Comparing capture-recapture, mark-resight, and spatial mark-resight models for estimating puma densities via camera traps
Author(s)
Rich, L. N.;Kelly, M. J.;Sollmann, R.;Noss, A. J.;Maffei, L.;Arispe, R. L.;Paviolo, A.;De Angelo, C. D.;Di Blanco, Y. E.;Di Bitetti, M. S.
Published
2014
Publisher
Journal of Mammalogy
Abstract
Camera-trapping surveys, in combination with traditional capture-recapture or spatially explicit capture-recapture techniques, have become popular for estimating the density of individually identifiable carnivores. When only a portion of the population is uniquely identifiable, traditional and spatial mark-resight models provide a viable alternative. We reanalyzed a data set that used photographic capture-recapture methods to estimate the densities of pumas (Puma concolor) across 3 study sites in Belize, Argentina, and Bolivia using newer, more-Advanced modeling including spatial and nonspatial mark-resight techniques. Additionally, we assessed how photo identification influenced density estimates by comparing estimates based on capture histories constructed by 3 independent investigators. We estimated the abundances of pumas using mark-resight models in program MARK and then estimated densities ad hoc. We also estimated densities directly using spatial mark-resight models implemented in a Bayesian framework. Puma densities did not vary substantially among observers but estimates generated from the 3 statistical techniques did differ. Density estimates (pumas/100 km2) from spatial mark-resight models were lower (0.22-7.92) and had increased precision compared to those from nonspatial capture-recapture (0.50-19.35) and mark-resight techniques (0.54-14.70). Our study is the 1st to estimate the density of a population of carnivores, where only a subset of the individuals are naturally marked, using camera-trapping surveys in combination with spatial mark-resight models. The development of spatial mark-resight and spatially explicit capture-recapture techniques creates the potential for using a single camera-trapping array to estimate the density of multiple, sympatric carnivores, including both partially marked and uniquely marked species. © 2014 American Society of Mammalogists.
Keywords
Camera trapping;Capture-recapture;Density;Neotropics;Puma concolor;Spatial mark-resight

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