Non-invasive diagnostic PCRs for rapid detection of golden jackal, red fox, and gray wolf/domestic dog and application to validate golden jackal presence in Styria, Austria

Abstract Human-predator conflicts are frequently caused by livestock and/or game depredation. The golden jackal’s ( Canis aureus ) range expansion in Europe, as well the recent re-expansion of several gray wolf lupus populations, might increase risk such conflicts. In Austria, jackal presence has been increasing since 1990s including reports wildlife and kills, occurring provinces Styria Burgenland. We developed a rapid, two-step genetic screening protocol to (1) detect canid mtDNA from non-invasively collected samples like swabs kills using diagnostic PCRs, (2) assign this DNA red fox Vulpes vulpes ), jackal, or wolf/dog. To monitor region, total 167 signs were over period 30 months throughout Styrian province. Among these, 14 non-invasive (13 kill sites one scat) screened with protocol. Four these revealed six mtDNA. represents quick inexpensive method assess presence, e.g., at sites, therefore possesses high value for conservation management community.