Data from: Molecular ecology of the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis): non-invasive sampling yields insights into local population dynamics

Non-invasive genetic analysis has been frequently employed to estimate
ecological and population parameters for many secretive and/or threatened
species. However, Neotropical carnivores have so far been scarcely
targeted by such studies. The Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) is a
poorly-known species for which local levels of genetic diversity and
demographic parameters are virtually absent. We employed non-invasive
sampling and amplification of microsatellite loci to investigate
population size and density, spatial organization, and relatedness of a
wild Neotropical otter population in an Atlantic forest area in southern
Brazil. We directly identified 28 individuals and estimate a rather high
population density at the study site. Spatial organization analysis
indicated that male cumulative displacement was higher than that of
females, with the latter sex showing evidence of philopatric behaviour.
Also, the reconstruction of genealogical relationships suggests that
spatial organization in this otter appears to be influenced by
relatedness. By allowing the testing of specific hypothesis targeting
these issues, our results provided important glimpses into the Neotropical
otter's population biology. Moreover, the findings of the present
study reaffirm the power of non-invasive genetics to investigate the
biology of this elusive species, and open up new avenues for ecological
and demographic studies of other Neotropical carnivores.