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.
Enregistrements de données
Les données de cette ressource occurrence ont été publiées sous forme d'une Archive Darwin Core (Darwin Core Archive ou DwC-A), le format standard pour partager des données de biodiversité en tant qu'ensemble d'un ou plusieurs tableurs de données. Le tableur de données du cœur de standard (core) contient 10 038 enregistrements.
Cet IPT archive les données et sert donc de dépôt de données. Les données et métadonnées de la ressource sont disponibles pour téléchargement dans la section téléchargements. Le tableau des versions liste les autres versions de chaque ressource rendues disponibles de façon publique et permet de tracer les modifications apportées à la ressource au fil du temps.
Versions
Le tableau ci-dessous n'affiche que les versions publiées de la ressource accessibles publiquement.
Comment citer
Les chercheurs doivent citer cette ressource comme suit:
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
Droits
Les chercheurs doivent respecter la déclaration de droits suivante:
L’éditeur et détenteur des droits de cette ressource est Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE). Ce travail est sous licence Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0.
Enregistrement GBIF
Cette ressource a été enregistrée sur le portail GBIF, et possède l'UUID GBIF suivante : 23162802-ab30-4cc5-b081-6e3865dd21e2. Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Evolutive (CEFE) publie cette ressource, et est enregistré dans le GBIF comme éditeur de données avec l'approbation du GBIF France.
Mots-clé
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
Couverture géographique
N/A
| Enveloppe géographique | Sud Ouest [43,534, 3,729], Nord Est [43,924, 4,181] |
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Couverture taxonomique
Pas de description disponible
| 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 |
Couverture temporelle
| Date de début / Date de fin | 2020-01-01 / 2025-06-02 |
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Données sur le projet
Pas de description disponible
| Titre | Study of the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the watersheds of the Montpellier metropolitan area |
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Les personnes impliquées dans le projet:
Méthodes d'échantillonnage
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.
| Etendue de l'étude | 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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Description des étapes de la méthode:
- 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.
Citations bibliographiques
- 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⟩
Métadonnées additionnelles
| Identifiants alternatifs | https://ipt.gbif.fr/resource?r=otter_gimenez |
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