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Chromatographic (TLC) differentiation of grizzly bear and black bear scats

Harold D. Picton·Katherine C. Kendall
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Abstract

While past work concluded that thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was inadequate for the separation of grizzly ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) and black bear ( U. americanus ) scats, our study found differences adequate for species separation. A key was constructed using 19 of 40 data points recorded on each( N )=356 profiles of 178) know-species scat. Accuracy was best for late summer scats (94%). Methods for specimen preparation, analysis, and reading the TLC profiles are discussed. Factors involved in scat variation were tested.

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Harold D. Picton, Katherine C. Kendall. 1994. Chromatographic (TLC) differentiation of grizzly bear and black bear scats. https://doi.org/10.2307/3872737

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