Background regarding genetic analyses

Genetic analyses are an important part of the monitoring. By means of genetic information, e.g. demarcation of neighbouring packs can be conducted and potential immigration from neighbouring wolf populations can be identified. DNA samples are collected throughout the year. The major part of samples is noninvasively collected, such as fresh scats, urine (on snow), hairs or saliva (swabs from recently killed wild ungulates or livestock). Genetic analyses are conducted by the Conservation Genetics Group of Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum at the Gelnhausen Research Station. The laboratory has been acting as the national reference centre for wolf genetics in Germany since 2010. Species identification is initially conducted through sequence analysis of the mitochondrial control region and is later confirmed through the analysis of 13 microsatellite markers. The resulting microsatellite data and two additional sex markers are used for individual identification and pack reconstruction. SNP analyses, which have been optimised for hybrid detection, are additionally conducted as required. Analysing all samples from Germany in one central laboratory makes it possible to assign individuals to their original packs and identify kinship throughout all federal states.

Below, you can download a publication about genetic analyses in the National Reference Centre. The methods described are currently used and continuously optimised. Meanwhile, for example, urine samples with oestrus blood on snow can be analysed with very high success rates. Further, many samples are processed with a SNP analysis by now.

The Senckenberg website provides further information on the national genetic wolf monitoring.

The Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum has published a statement regarding wolf surveys on the occasion of a press conference of the political party “Die Blauen” in Dresden on the 5th of July, 2018 (in German):