Spot the match - wildlife photo-identification using information theory.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Effective approaches for the management and conservation of wildlife populations require a sound knowledge of population demographics, and this is often only possible through mark-recapture studies. We applied an automated spot-recognition program (I3S) for matching natural markings of wildlife that is based on a novel information-theoretic approach to incorporate matching uncertainty. Using a photo-identification database of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) as an example case, the information criterion (IC) algorithm we developed resulted in a parsimonious ranking of potential matches of individuals in an image library. Automated matches were compared to manual-matching results to test the performance of the software and algorithm.

Results

Validation of matched and

SUBMITTER: Speed CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1781941 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature