Genotyping error, often associated with low-quantity/quality DNA samples, is an important issue when using genetic tags to estimate abundance using capture-mark-recapture (CMR). DROPOUT, a MS-Windows program, identifies both loci and samples that likely contain errors affecting CMR estimates. DROPOUT uses a ‘bimodal test’, that enumerates the number of loci different between each pair of samples, and a ‘difference in capture history test’ (DCH) to determine those loci producing the most errors. Importantly, the DCH test allows one to determine that a data set is error-free.
DROPOUT is free software for the MS-Windows operating system. The software was developed by Kevin McKelvey of the Rocky Mountain Research Station. The download file is in .zip format and includes documentation and example data sets. If you download this software please e-mail Kevin with your name and affiliation.
Download: Dropout_2_3.zip - Two tests to error check microsatellite datasets for potential genotyping errors.
Contained within DROPOUT_2_3.zip are several programs including GenCapture.exe that computes capture/mark/recapture statistics on genetic data. You can download it separately - GenCapture1_4.zip
McKelvey, K. and Schwartz, M.K. (2005). DROPOUT: a program to identify problem loci and samples for noninvasive genetic samples in a capture-mark-recapture framework. Molecular Ecology Notes 5: 716–718. [PDF]
Schwartz, M.K., Cushman, S.A., McKelvey, K., Hayden, J., and Engkjer, C. (2006). Detecting genotyping errors and describing American black bear movement in northern Idaho. Ursus 17(2):138–148. [PDF]
McKelvey, K. and Schwartz, M.K. (2004). Providing reliable and accurate genetic mark-recapture in a cost-effective manner. Journal of Wildlife Management 68: 453-456. [PDF]
McKelvey, K. and Schwartz, M.K. (2004). Dangers of genetic errors in mark-capture sampling: problems and new solutions. Journal of Wildlife Management 68: 439-448.