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Date Permissions Signed

4-13-2015

Date of Award

Spring 2015

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Schwarz, Dietmar, 1974-

Second Advisor

Acevedo-Gutiérrez, Alejandro, 1964-

Third Advisor

Wallin, David O.

Abstract

Understanding the effect of individual differences on trophic interactions of upper-level predators, which can have disproportionate effects on an ecosystem, is imperative for successful management of populations. Marine mammals that prey on fish species of commercial and conservation importance are thus of particular interest. However, quantitatively monitoring and evaluating the impact of marine mammals on the environment is challenging because it is difficult to observe, capture, and collect repeated samples of individuals. Molecular genetic analysis of scat provides an inexpensive and feasible option to address these challenges. I developed an innovative non-invasive method for re-sampling individual marine mammals by collecting harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) scat at a haul-out in Cowichan Bay, B.C. I chose to study this species because it is the most abundant pinniped in the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest and a notable predator on fisheries stocks. In addition, a Python-based computer program for experimental design, incorporating genotyping error, was created to determine the sampling schemes needed to genetically track individuals of any taxa with site fidelity. My results demonstrate that non-invasive individual tracking via microsatellites can be successfully implemented in marine mammals. Furthermore, the optimum sampling scheme to track individuals over a given time frame at the study site requires 690 samples over 23 bouts (30 samples per bout). These genetic-tracking and sampling scheme methodologies can be applied to help answer several biological questions including diet, relatedness, population structure and impacts on species of interest.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/hzp8-e906

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

908394361

Subject – LCSH

Harbor seal--Feces--Genetics; Harbor seal--Food--British Columbia--Pacific Coast; Predation (Biology)--British Columbia--Pacific Coast

Geographic Coverage

Pacific Coast (B.C.)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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