Spatial ecology of the stone marten in an Alpine area: combining camera-trapping and genetic surveys

Abstract A species’ potential distribution can be modelled adequately only if no factor other than habitat availability affects its occurrences. Space use by stone marten Martes foina is likely to affected interspecific competition with the strictly related pine martes , latter being able outcompete first species in forested habitats. Hence, point out environmental factors which determine and density of marten, a relatively understudied mesocarnivore, we applied two non-invasive survey methods, camera-trapping faecal-DNA based genetic analysis, an Alpine area where was deemed absent (Val Grande National Park N Italy). Camera trapping conducted from October 2014 November 2015, using up 27 cameras. Marten scats were searched for between July 2015 and, assess density, spring 2017. Species identification accomplished PCR-RFLP method, while 17 autosomal microsatellites used individual identification. The occurred all available habitats (83% sites 73.2% scats); nonetheless, suitability, as assessed MaxEnt, depended on four major land cover variables—rocky grasslands, rocks debris, beech forests chestnut forests—, martens selecting avoiding open rocky areas. Sixteen individuals identified, 14 each other, possibly forming six different groups. Using capwire estimators, 0.95 (0.7–1.3) ind/km 2 . In study area, widespread selected areas, attaining values like those reported northern Europe suggesting that patterns selection may depend relative abundance competing martens.