In spite of their potential important role in shaping small mammal population dynamics, weasel (Mustela nivalis) and stoat (Mustela erminea) are understudied due to the difficulty of detecting these species. Furthermore, their conservation status in many countries is unknown due to lack of monitoring techniques. There is thus an important need for a method to detect these small mustelids. In this study, we tested the efficiency of a recently developed camera trapping device, the Mostela, as a new technique to detect mustelids in a study area near Dieren, the Netherlands. We placed Mostelas in linear landscape features, and other microhabitats thought to be frequently visited by weasels, from March to October 2017 and February to October 2018. We tested for yearly and monthly differences in site use and detectability, as well as the effect of entrance tube size, using an occupancy modelling framework. We found large seasonal differences in site use and detectability of weasels with the highest site use in June to October and highest detection probability in August and September. Detection probability was approximately two times higher for Mostelas with a 10-cm entrance tube compared with 8-cm. Furthermore, we were able to estimate activity patterns based on the time of detection, identify the sex in most detections (69.5%), and distinguish several individuals. Concluding, the Mostela seems promising as a non-invasive monitoring tool to study the occurrence and ecology of small mustelids. Further development of individual recognition from images would enable using the Mostela for density estimates applying capture-recapture models.

中文翻译：

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Mostela：一种经过调整的摄像头捕获设备，可作为研究和监测小型芥末的有前途的非侵入性工具

尽管它们在塑造小型哺乳动物种群动态中具有潜在的重要作用，但鼬鼠（鼬鼬）和白鼬（鼬鼬））由于难以检测这些物种而被研究不足。此外，由于缺乏监测技术，它们在许多国家的保护状况不明。因此，非常需要一种检测这些小胡须的方法。在这项研究中，我们测试了一种最新开发的相机诱集装置Mostela的效率，该装置是一种在荷兰Dieren附近的研究区域中检测芥末的新技术。我们在2017年3月至10月和2018年2月至2018年10月之间，将莫斯特拉斯（Mostelas）置于线性景观特征中，以及其他黄鼠狼经常光顾的微生境。我们测试了场地使用和可检测性的年度和每月差异以及入口的影响管尺寸，使用占用建模框架。我们发现6月至10月最高的站点使用量和8月和9月最高的检测概率的站点使用和可检测性的季节差异很大。带有10厘米入口管的Mostelas的检测概率大约是8厘米的两倍。此外，我们能够根据检测时间估算活动模式，在大多数检测中识别性别（69.5％），并区分几个人。最后，Mostela有望作为一种无创的监测工具来研究小芥末的发生和生态。通过图像进一步发展个人识别能力，将使Mostela能够利用捕获-再捕获模型进行密度估计。带有10厘米入口管的Mostelas的检测概率大约是8厘米的两倍。此外，我们能够根据检测时间估算活动模式，在大多数检测中识别性别（69.5％），并区分几个人。最后，Mostela有望作为一种无创的监测工具来研究小芥末的发生和生态。通过图像进一步发展个人识别能力，将使Mostela能够利用捕获-再捕获模型进行密度估计。带有10厘米入口管的Mostelas的检测概率大约是8厘米的两倍。此外，我们能够根据检测时间估算活动模式，在大多数检测中识别性别（69.5％），并区分几个人。最后，Mostela有望作为一种无创的监测工具来研究小芥末的发生和生态。通过图像进一步发展个人识别能力，将使Mostela能够利用捕获-再捕获模型进行密度估计。Mostela有望作为一种无创的监测工具来研究小芥末的发生和生态。通过图像进一步发展个人识别能力，将使Mostela能够利用捕获-再捕获模型进行密度估计。Mostela有望作为一种无创的监测工具来研究小芥末的发生和生态。通过图像进一步发展个人识别能力，将使Mostela能够利用捕获-再捕获模型进行密度估计。