Molecular Ecology
A significant number of new research projects use molecular markers as a powerful new tool to better understand what wildlife is doing in their natural habitat. This is especially relevant to species that are difficult to observe directly. In addition, many of these insights can be obtained non-invasively by examination of fecal samples or naturally shed hair and feathers. Recent ConGen studies have elucidated the densities of tigers and leopards in Malaysia by DNA isolation from fecal samples collected in the forest.
