Individual Identification of Mesocarnivores Using Photos of Noseprint Patterns

Abstract

Abstract. We conducted several trials to improve and evaluate an identification technique of mesocarnivore individuals using noseprint photos. Our method used the image analysis software to match a partial noseprint pattern. By comparing flash and non-flash photos of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes schrencki, non-flash photos resulted in higher identification success than did flash photos. Similarity scores, which show the correspondence between reference and check images, were also higher for non-flash photos. A searching image size of 30 × 30 pixels was more effective than larger searching image. The noseprint method yielded high similarity scores and success rates in the identification of individuals of four mesocarnivore species: the red fox, Vulpes vulpes schrencki (n = 42); the raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides albus (n = 10); the Japanese sable, Martes zibellina brachyura (n = 17); and the masked palm civet, Paguma larvata (n = 12). Identification rates for the same individual from all photos of the...