Applications of genetic methods in furbearer management and ecology: Case studies of fishers, American martens and bobcats

Furbearer species are an important component of managed wildlife in the Midwestern United States. However, the species' solitary and elusive habits have made collection of ecological and demographic information upon which management decisions are made difficult. The objective of this research was to provide additional methodologies that managers can employ to gather ecological and demographic data on furbearers. Molecular methods were used to estimate levels of spatial genetic structure for martens and fishers that developed from of reintroductions to Michigan and Wisconsin collectively, data were used to develop methods to monitor population abundance of martens and fishers, and to determine sources and direction of error in bobcat harvest records. Molecular methods were very useful for describing spatial genetic structure that could be tied to reintroduction events. In addition, aspects of marten and fisher ecology were identified that help explain current spatial genetic structure. Simultaneous estimates of population abundance were determined for martens and fishers. Error was identified in harvest location reporting and sex identification of bobcats. Genetics was proven to be a useful application in furbearer management and ecology.