Monitoring of wildlife populations is critical to conservation and public health and provides crucial information necessary for effective decision-making and management. Effective wildlife monitoring requires effective and adaptable sampling methods that consider the researchers as well as species being monitored. This thesis assesses non-invasive sampling methods to 1) detect cryptic shrew species, and 2) identify bacteria of public health concern present in American black bear (Ursus americanus) fecal matter. Results from Chapter 2 demonstrate the potential for monitoring rare and sparsely distributed small mammals using soil sourced environmental DNA with targeted sampling (e.g., cover objects for shrews). Chapter 3 demonstrates fecal indicator bacteria harboring antimicrobial resistant genes of public health concern can be tracked in the shared human-wildlife environment using non-invasively sourced wildlife fecal samples. This study contributes to future monitoring efforts needed to detect other rare species and identify members of the resistome using non-invasive methods
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-7075 |
| Date | 10 May 2024 |
| Creators | Adjaye, Daniela |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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