Individual identification of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in South Korea (Sincheon River, Daegu) by microsatellite markers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the number of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) that occupied the Sincheon River in Daegu, South Korea. Twenty-seven spraints collected from February to May 2016 at four sites (Jangam Bridge approximately 6.1 km from the Gachang Dam, Docheong Bridge approximately 13.5 km, Chimsan Bridge approximately 15.1 km and Nogoek Bridge approximately 18 km) along the Sincheon River (approximately 27.06 km) were analyzed using 12 microsatellite markers. The analyses resulted in the identification of 16 (59.3%) individual Eurasian otters in the Sincheon River based on the 27 spraints. Of the 16 individual Eurasian otters, seven were male, and nine were female. Groups were centered at the Jangam Bridge (3 males and 2 females), Chimsan Bridge (2 males and 3 females) and Docheong Bridge (2 males and 4 females). Thus, the 16 Eurasian otters formed three genetically related groups in each sampling area. The number of alleles per locus varied from three to seven, with a mean value of 5.08 alleles.