Description
This dataset supports a research study on the recolonisation of Mediterranean rivers by the European otter (Lutra lutra), a protected species and a recognized bioindicator of freshwater ecosystem quality. The study aims to better understand the dynamics of otter re-establishment in a highly anthropogenic environment.
The dataset compiles non-invasive monitoring data collected along the Lez River and its tributaries (southern France). It integrates multiple complementary survey methods to document species presence and activity.
Presence signs: Field surveys of otter spraints collected along riverbanks and waterways.
Camera trapping: Video recordings and detections documenting otter activity as well as other sympatric wildlife species.
Environmental DNA (eDNA): Molecular detection of otter and other vertebrate species from aquatic samples collected at study sites.
Genetic analyses were performed on spraint samples (individual identification, population origin, and diet characterization). However, these genetic results are not included in the present dataset.
Data Records
The data in this occurrence resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 10,038 records.
This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.
Versions
The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.
How to cite
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
Gimenez O, Lacombe S (2026). Study of the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the watersheds of the Montpellier metropolitan area. Version 1.0. Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE). Occurrence dataset. https://ipt.gbif.fr/resource?r=otter_gimenez&v=1.0
Rights
Researchers should respect the following rights statement:
The publisher and rights holder of this work is Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE). This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) License.
GBIF Registration
This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: 23162802-ab30-4cc5-b081-6e3865dd21e2. Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE) publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by GBIF France.
Keywords
Occurrence; European otter; Lutra lutra; Non-invasive monitoring; Camera trapping; Environmental DNA; Spraint surveys; Freshwater ecosystems; River monitoring; Urban ecology; Wildlife recolonisation; Protected species; Ecological connectivity; Green and Blue Infrastructure; Long-term ecological monitoring; Mediterranean rivers; Observation
Contacts
https://orcid.org/https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7001-5142
Geographic Coverage
N/A
| Bounding Coordinates | South West [43.534, 3.729], North East [43.924, 4.181] |
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Taxonomic Coverage
No Description available
| Kingdom | Animalia |
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| Class | Aves, Mammalia, Amphibia, Actinopterygii |
| Order | Anseriformes, Artiodactyla, Galliformes, Perissodactyla, Passeriformes, Pelecaniformes, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Eulipotyphla, Gruiformes, Carnivora, Salmoniformes, Mugiliformes, Atheriniformes, Osmeriformes, Gobiiformes, Syngnathiformes, Beloniformes, Scorpaeniformes, Perciformes, Cetartiodactyla, Anura, Esociformes, Chelonii, Accipitriformes, Cyprinodontiformes, Siluriformes, Urodela, Columbiformes, Charadriiformes, Cypriniformes, Psittaciformes, Anguilliformes, Rodentia, Strigiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes, Pleuronectiformes, Clupeiformes |
| Family | Sylviidae, Mugilidae, Argentinidae, Sphyraenidae, Phylloscopidae, Columbidae, Certhiidae, Carangidae, Echimyidae, Ictaluridae, Anguillidae, Siluridae, Muridae, Picidae, Moronidae, Triglidae, Atherinidae, Fringillidae, Alcedinidae, Scolopacidae, Talpidae, Camelidae, Xenocyprididae, Viverridae, Sciuridae, Recurvirostridae, Percidae, Gobionidae, Emydidae, Engraulidae, Esocidae, Blenniidae, Soricidae, Poeciliidae, Phasianidae, Acheilognathidae, Turdidae, Psittaculidae, Paridae, Ardeidae, Salmonidae, Salamandridae, Anatidae, Cyprinidae, Ranidae, Bufonidae, Tincidae, Alosidae, Troglodytidae, Laridae, Corvidae, Leporidae, Leuciscidae, Muscicapidae, Canidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Castoridae, Gobiidae, Nemacheilidae, Suidae, Discoglossidae, Vespertilionidae, Pandionidae, Sturnidae, Clupeidae, Gliridae, Cottidae, Myocastoridae, Sparidae, Prunellidae, Accipitridae, Scombridae, Alaudidae, Rallidae, Syngnathidae, Cervidae, Belonidae, Soleidae, Mustelidae, Centrarchidae, Alytidae, Cricetidae, Cisticolidae, NA, Equidae |
Temporal Coverage
| Start Date / End Date | 2020-01-01 / 2025-06-02 |
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Project Data
No Description available
| Title | Study of the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the watersheds of the Montpellier metropolitan area |
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The personnel involved in the project:
Sampling Methods
Data were collected between 2023 and 2025 as part of an ongoing long-term monitoring programme. Data were collected using a combination of non-invasive monitoring methods targeting the European otter and associated vertebrate fauna. Spraint surveys: Standardized field prospections were conducted along riverbanks and riparian habitats to detect and record otter spraints and other field signs. Camera trapping: Motion-triggered camera traps were deployed at selected sites to record wildlife activity. Video and photographic detections were reviewed for species identification. Environmental DNA: Water samples were collected and analyzed using environmental DNA metabarcoding techniques to detect the presence of otters and other vertebrate taxa. All methods were implemented following standardized protocols to ensure comparability across sites and sampling periods.
| Study Extent | The study was conducted along the Lez River and its tributaries in southern France (Hérault department). Sampling sites include peri-urban and urban freshwater ecosystems characterized by varying levels of anthropogenic pressure. The objective is to better understand Lutra lutra; a protected species and indicator of the quality of aquatic environments; dynamics of establishment in a highly anthropized environment. |
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Method step description:
- Study design and site selection Sampling sites were selected along the Lez River and its tributaries (Hérault, southern France) in order to cover a gradient of anthropogenic pressure, from urban to peri-urban and more natural river sections. All sites were georeferenced and revisited according to the monitoring design. Field surveys of presence signs (spraints and tracks) Standardized field prospections were conducted along riverbanks and riparian habitats to detect otter presence signs. When spraints, footprints, or other diagnostic indices were observed, their location, date, and time (when available) were recorded, along with observer identity and field comments (e.g. freshness, size, substrate). Each record was later standardized as an occurrence. Camera trapping Motion-triggered camera traps were deployed at selected locations such as river crossings, banks, or frequently used paths. Cameras recorded continuously during deployment periods. Videos and images were reviewed, and species identifications were validated based on visual evidence. Each detection event was formatted as a standardized occurrence with date, time, and geographic coordinates. Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling Water samples were collected at monitoring sites following harmonized protocols. Samples were analyzed using metabarcoding techniques by a specialized laboratory (e.g. SPYGEN). Species detections were converted into occurrence records using presence/absence coding at the site × taxon level, with environmental DNA specified as the identification method. Taxonomic standardisation Taxa were standardized against national taxonomic references (e.g. TAXREF). When identification to species level was not possible, records were retained at the most reliable taxonomic rank. Data harmonisation and quality control All records underwent validation procedures including coordinate verification, date formatting, and consistency checks across datasets and sampling methods. Occurrence status was harmonized (present vs non-detected where applicable), and duplicates or inconsistencies were corrected. Genetic analyses of spraints Additional genetic analyses were performed on some spraint samples (e.g. individual identification, origin, diet). These genetic results are not included in this published dataset, which contains only field detection data.
Bibliographic Citations
- Olivier Gimenez, Simon Lacombe, Louis Barbu, Yann Raulet, Vincent Sablain, et al.. Étude du retour de la Loutre d'Europe Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) sur le fleuve Lez (fleuve côtier, Hérault, France) grâce aux méthodes non-invasives de suivi des populations et une collaboration étroite entre structures académiques et territoriales. 2024. ⟨hal-04725018v2⟩
Additional Metadata
| Alternative Identifiers | https://ipt.gbif.fr/resource?r=otter_gimenez |
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