Wolfexplorer: a Tool for Visualization and Exploration of Complex Multi-Year Multi-Specimen Datasets

Non-invasive genetic sampling has become an accessible method for monitoring wild animal populations, whereas visualising such multi-specimen data in both spatial and temporal context has proven to be an arduous task.Conventional approach utilising GIS software suffers from a lack of interactivity, particularly when analysing many samples from numerous animals simultaneously.Yet such datasets, if disentangled properly, offer an invaluable insight into movement patterns, habitat utilization and life histories of studied animals.Here we present wolfexplorer -a tool for visualization and exploration of complex multiyear multi-specimen datasets.Package, incorporating user-friendly GUI, is written in R, and presents an example of a novel approach in data exploration.It is aimed at helping researchers interpret complex datasets, giving them ability to examine spatial information and genetic lineages step-by-step.Central piece of the application is a map and an inputs panel that enables users to select samples from animals of interest.In case dataset contains a temporal component, filtering by date is also available.When spatial data is complemented with parentage data, functionality of the package is expanded with the ability to plot family pedigrees on-the-fly and suggestions of currently displayed animals' offspring.