Research overview: molecular sexing of felids from non-invasive samples

Determining the sex of individuals from non-invasively collected samples such as feces or hair supports studies of population structure, dispersal, and reproduction. This overview surveys molecular sexing methods for felids, which identify sex chromosome markers from small or degraded DNA samples, and their application in field research. It reviews how sex identification complements individual genotyping for estimating sex ratios, tracking dispersers, and reconstructing mating systems without capturing animals. The review connects molecular sexing to paternity analysis and non-invasive monitoring. Understanding molecular sexing clarifies how genetic tools extend the study of felid reproduction and demography to elusive species, allowing researchers to characterize populations from traces left in the environment.