Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair
Mammalian hair is a source of biological information and can be used in genetic, toxicological, hormonal, and ecological studies. However, non-invasive collection methods are still little explored. This study aimed to describe and validate a passive methodology for collecting hair from jaguars (<...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1415 |
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| author | Larissa Pereira Rodrigues Paul Raad Daniela Carvalho dos Santos Alaor Aparecido Almeida Vladimir Eliodoro Costa Ligia Souza Lima Silveira da Mota |
| author_facet | Larissa Pereira Rodrigues Paul Raad Daniela Carvalho dos Santos Alaor Aparecido Almeida Vladimir Eliodoro Costa Ligia Souza Lima Silveira da Mota |
| author_sort | Larissa Pereira Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mammalian hair is a source of biological information and can be used in genetic, toxicological, hormonal, and ecological studies. However, non-invasive collection methods are still little explored. This study aimed to describe and validate a passive methodology for collecting hair from jaguars (<i>Panthera onca</i>) and evaluate its viability for different analyses. This study was conducted in the Northern Pantanal, where synthetic fiber mats were installed in strategic locations to passively capture hair. The presence of animals and the collection of samples were monitored by camera traps over a period of 30 days. The collected samples were subjected to morphological analyses by electron microscopy, molecular tests for genetic and sex identification, and isotopic and heavy metal analyses. The results showed that the collected hairs were well preserved, allowing the structural and molecular identification of the material. The analyses confirmed the viability of DNA for genetic studies and revealed specific concentrations of heavy metals and stable isotopes. The proposed methodology proved to be effective and is a promising alternative for obtaining samples without directly interfering with the behavior of the animals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-99d4668d5f32472c93d6e89714d2a094 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-99d4668d5f32472c93d6e89714d2a0942025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-05-011510141510.3390/ani15101415Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> HairLarissa Pereira Rodrigues0Paul Raad1Daniela Carvalho dos Santos2Alaor Aparecido Almeida3Vladimir Eliodoro Costa4Ligia Souza Lima Silveira da Mota5Animal Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Unesp, Botucatu 18618-681, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Wild Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Unesp, Botucatu 18618-681, BrazilElectron Microscopy Center, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Unesp, Botucatu 18618-681, BrazilToxicological Information and Assistance Center, Department of Biophysics and Phamacology, Institute of Biosciences, Unesp, Botucatu 18618-681, BrazilStable Isotope Center, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, Unesp, Botucatu 18618-681, BrazilAnimal Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Unesp, Botucatu 18618-681, BrazilMammalian hair is a source of biological information and can be used in genetic, toxicological, hormonal, and ecological studies. However, non-invasive collection methods are still little explored. This study aimed to describe and validate a passive methodology for collecting hair from jaguars (<i>Panthera onca</i>) and evaluate its viability for different analyses. This study was conducted in the Northern Pantanal, where synthetic fiber mats were installed in strategic locations to passively capture hair. The presence of animals and the collection of samples were monitored by camera traps over a period of 30 days. The collected samples were subjected to morphological analyses by electron microscopy, molecular tests for genetic and sex identification, and isotopic and heavy metal analyses. The results showed that the collected hairs were well preserved, allowing the structural and molecular identification of the material. The analyses confirmed the viability of DNA for genetic studies and revealed specific concentrations of heavy metals and stable isotopes. The proposed methodology proved to be effective and is a promising alternative for obtaining samples without directly interfering with the behavior of the animals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1415hair analysispassive samplingwildlife monitoringwildlife forensics |
| spellingShingle | Larissa Pereira Rodrigues Paul Raad Daniela Carvalho dos Santos Alaor Aparecido Almeida Vladimir Eliodoro Costa Ligia Souza Lima Silveira da Mota Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair Animals hair analysis passive sampling wildlife monitoring wildlife forensics |
| title | Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair |
| title_full | Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair |
| title_short | Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods in Studying Jaguar (<i>Panthera onca)</i> Hair |
| title_sort | effectiveness of non invasive methods in studying jaguar i panthera onca i hair |
| topic | hair analysis passive sampling wildlife monitoring wildlife forensics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/10/1415 |
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