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19 results for “Faecal DNA”
DNA metabarcoding of corvid faecal samples
<p><span>Establishing methods that allow for more focused management of wildlife under predator pressure may increase the efficiency of managing problematic predators. Non-invasive dietary analysis and identification of conservation-sensitive prey in the diet of 'culprit' predator individuals could help to facilitate this and is worthy of exploration. Recently on Phillip Island, Australia, Little Ravens <em>Corvus mellori</em> have emerged as a prominent predator on the clutches of burrow-nesting Little Penguins <em>Eudyptula minor</em>. We tested the feasibility of using non-invasive PCR approaches targeting the penguin mitochondrial 16S rRNA marker gene to establish whether penguin DNA could be detected in raven faecal samples, potentially enabling the identification of culprit ravens missed by extensive field observation. Using a metabarcoding approach, we examined the feasibility of non-invasively establishing other dietary items via high throughput amplicon sequencing. We documented components of raven diet using the universal mitochondrial 16S rRNA, insect-specific 'Chiar' 16S rRNA, and plant ITS2. The assemblage of dietary items did not differ with raven culprit status (i.e. a raven previously observed preying upon penguin), sex, or date. Penguin was detected in the diet of some individuals classified observationally as non-culprits. While some cases may conceivably have been false detections, other explanations include missed depredation events, consumption via scavenging, or consumption through secondary consumption (e.g. eating invertebrates that have consumed penguin). While this study found metabarcoding unreliable for unambiguous assigning of raven culprit status, at least as we implemented it, it may hold promise complementing observations if consumption via scavenging can be distinguished from direct depredation.</span></p>
Focal vs. faecal: Seasonal variation in the diet of wild vervet monkeys from observational and DNA metabarcoding data
<p>1. Assessing the diet of wild animals reveals valuable information about their ecology and trophic relationships that may help elucidate dynamic interactions in ecosystems and forecast responses to environmental changes.</p> <p>2. Advances in molecular biology provide valuable research tools in this field. However, comparative empirical research is still required to highlight strengths and potential biases of different approaches. Therefore, this study compares environmental DNA and observational methods for the same study population and sampling duration.</p> <p>3. We employed DNA metabarcoding assays targeting plant and arthropod diet items in 823 faecal samples collected over 12 months in a wild population of an omnivorous primate, the vervet monkey (<em>Chlorocebus pygerythrus</em>). DNA metabarcoding data were subsequently compared to direct observations.</p> <p>4. We observed the same seasonal patterns of plant consumption with both methods, however, DNA metabarcoding showed considerably greater taxonomic coverage and resolution compared to observations, mostly due to the construction of a local plant DNA database. We found a strong effect of season on variation in plant consumption largely shaped by the dry and wet seasons. The seasonal effect on arthropod consumption was weaker but feeding on arthropods was more frequent in spring and summer, showing overall that vervets adapt their diet according to available resources. The DNA metabarcoding assay outperformed also direct observations of arthropod consumption in both taxonomic coverage and resolution.</p> <p>5. Combining traditional techniques and DNA metabarcoding data can therefore not only provide enhanced assessments of complex diets or reveal trophic interactions to the benefit of wildlife conservationists and managers but also opens new perspectives for behavioural ecologists studying whether diet variation in social species is induced by environmental differences or might reflect selective foraging behaviours.</p>
DNA metabarcoding data from faecal samples of the lesser (Myotis blythii) and the greater (Myotis myotis) mouse-eared bats from Bulgaria
<p>A comprehensive understanding of trophic interactions in terrestrial ecosystems is crucial for ecological research and conservation. Recent advances in non-invasive methods, such as DNA metabarcoding, have enabled researchers to collect vast amounts of data on wild animal diets. However, sharing this data and metadata effectively and transparently presents new challenges. To address this, a new type of scholarly journal publication has emerged that aims to describe datasets rather than report research investigations. In this paper, we present a dataset of consumed prey species and parasites based on the metabarcoding of 113 faecal samples from the greater and lesser mouse-eared bats (<em>Myotis myotis</em> and <em>Myotis blythii</em>), along with a detailed description of the data sampling, laboratory analysis, and bioinformatics pipeline. Our dataset comprises 1018 unique Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) from 12 Classes and 43 Orders. In addition, we provide interactive Krona charts to visually summarize the taxonomic relationships and relative read abundance of the consumed prey species and parasites. This data can be used for meta-analysis, exploring new predator-prey and host-parasite interactions, studying inter and intraspecific ecological interactions, and informing protected area management, among other applications. By sharing this dataset, we hope to encourage other researchers to use it to answer additional ecological questions and advance our understanding of trophic interactions in terrestrial ecosystems.</p>
DNA metabarcoding data from faecal samples of the lesser (Myotis blythii) and the greater (Myotis myotis) mouse-eared bats from Bulgaria
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Focal vs. faecal: Seasonal variation in the diet of wild vervet monkeys from observational and DNA metabarcoding data
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DNA metabarcoding of corvid faecal samples
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Data from: Reliable genotyping of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) using DNA isolated from a single faecal pellet
The koala, an Australian icon, has been added to the threatened species list. Rationale for the listing includes proposed declines in population size, threats to populations (e.g. disease) and loss and fragmentation of habitat. There is now an urgent need to obtain accurate data to assess the status of koala populations in Australia, to ensure the long-term viability of this species. Advances in genetic techniques have enabled DNA analysis to study and inform the management of wild populations; however, sampling of individual koalas is difficult in tall, often remote, eucalypt forest. The collection of faecal pellets (scats) from the forest floor presents an opportunistic sampling strategy, where DNA can be collected without capturing or even sighting an individual. Obtaining DNA via noninvasive sampling can be used to rapidly sample a large proportion of a population; however, DNA from noninvasively collected samples is often degraded. Factors influencing DNA quality and quantity include environmental exposure, diet and methods of sample collection, storage and DNA isolation. Reduced DNA quality and quantity can introduce genotyping errors and provide inaccurate DNA profiles, reducing confidence in the ability of such data to inform management/conservation strategies. Here, we present a protocol that produces a reliable individual koala genotype from a single faecal pellet and highlight the importance of optimizing DNA isolation and analysis for the species of interest. This method could readily be adapted for genetic studies of mammals other than koalas, particularly those whose diet contains high proportions of volatile materials that are likely to induce DNA damage.
Data from: Evaluating DNA degradation rates in faecal pellets of the endangered pygmy rabbit
Noninvasive genetic sampling of faecal pellets can be a valuable method for monitoring rare and cryptic wildlife populations, like the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). To investigate this method's efficiency for pygmy rabbit monitoring, we evaluated the effect of sample age on DNA degradation in faecal pellets under summer field conditions. We placed 275 samples from known individuals in natural field conditions for 1 to 60 days and assessed DNA quality by amplifying a 294 base pair (bp) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) locus and 5 nuclear DNA (nDNA) microsatellite loci (111 – 221 bp). DNA degradation was influenced by sample age, DNA type, locus length, and rabbit sex. Both mtDNA and nDNA exhibited high PCR success rates (94.4%) in samples <1 day old. Success rates for microsatellite loci declined rapidly from 80.0% to 42.7% between days 5 and 7, likely due to increased environmental temperature. Success rates for mtDNA amplification remained higher than nDNA over time, with moderate success (66.7%) at 21 days. Allelic dropout rates were relatively high (17.6% at < 1 day) and increased to 100% at 60 days. False allele rates ranged from 0 to 30.0% and increased gradually over time. We recommend collecting samples as fresh as possible for individual identification during summer field conditions. Our study suggests that this method can be useful for future monitoring efforts, including occupancy surveys, individual identification, population estimation, parentage analysis, and monitoring of genetic diversity both of a reintroduced population in central Washington and across their range.
Data from: Evaluating the interaction of faecal pellet deposition rates and DNA degradation rates to optimize sampling design for DNA-based mark-recapture analysis of Sonoran pronghorn
Knowledge of population demographics is important for species management but can be challenging in low-density, wide-ranging species. Population monitoring of the endangered Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) is critical for assessing the success of recovery efforts, and noninvasive DNA sampling (NDS) could be more cost-effective and less intrusive than traditional methods. We evaluated faecal pellet deposition rates and faecal DNA degradation rates to maximize sampling efficiency for DNA-based mark–recapture analyses. Deposition data were collected at five watering holes using sampling intervals of 1–7 days and averaged one pellet pile per pronghorn per day. To evaluate nuclear DNA (nDNA) degradation, 20 faecal samples were exposed to local environmental conditions and sampled at eight time points from one to 124 days. Average amplification success rates for six nDNA microsatellite loci were 81% for samples on day one, 63% by day seven, 2% by day 14 and 0% by day 60. We evaluated the efficiency of different sampling intervals (1–10 days) by estimating the number of successful samples, success rate of individual identification and laboratory costs per successful sample. Cost per successful sample increased and success and efficiency declined as the sampling interval increased. Results indicate NDS of faecal pellets is a feasible method for individual identification, population estimation and demographic monitoring of Sonoran pronghorn. We recommend collecting samples >7 days old and estimate that a sampling interval of 4–7 days in summer conditions (i.e. extreme heat and exposure to UV light) will achieve desired sample sizes for mark–recapture analysis while also maximizing efficiency.
Data from: Successful carnivore identification with faecal DNA across a fragmented Amazonian landscape
The use of scat surveys to obtain DNA has been well documented in temperate areas, where DNA preservation may be more effective than in tropical forests. Samples obtained in the tropics are often exposed to high humidity, warm temperatures, frequent rain, and intense sunlight, all of which can rapidly degrade DNA. Despite these potential problems, we demonstrate successful DNA amplification and sequencing for faeces of carnivores collected in tropical conditions and quantify how sample condition and environmental variables influence the success of PCR amplification and species identification. Additionally the feasibility of genotyping nuclear microsatellites from jaguar (Panthera onca) faeces was investigated. From October 2007 to December 2008, 93 faecal samples were collected in the southern Brazilian Amazon. A total of eight carnivore species was successfully identified from 71% of all samples obtained. Information theoretic analysis revealed that the number of PCR attempts before a successful sequence was an important negative predictor across all three responses (success of species identification, success of species identification from the first sequence and PCR amplification success), whereas the relative importance of the other three predictors (sample condition, season, and distance from forest) varied between the three responses. Nuclear microsatellite amplification of DNA from jaguar faeces had lower success rates (15–44%) compared with those of the mtDNA marker. Our results show that DNA identification of carnivore species from faecal samples works efficiently in the Amazon forest and can provide data on species occurrence as well as a valuable tool for genetic, ecological and conservation studies.
Supplementary material 2 from: Hubancheva A, Bozicevic V, Morinière J, Goerlitz HR (2023) DNA metabarcoding data from faecal samples of the lesser (Myotis blythii) and the greater (Myotis myotis) mouse-eared bats from Bulgaria. Metabarcoding and Metagenomics 7: e106844. https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.7.106844
Taxonomic relationships and relative abundance of prey and parasite species in faecal samples from M. myotis and M. blythii from Bulgaria
Data from: Assessing the spatial ecology and resource use of a mobile and endangered species in an urbanized landscape using satellite telemetry and DNA faecal metabarcoding
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Data from: Evaluating DNA degradation rates in faecal pellets of the endangered pygmy rabbit
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Data from: Successful carnivore identification with faecal DNA across a fragmented Amazonian landscape
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Data from: Evaluating the interaction of faecal pellet deposition rates and DNA degradation rates to optimize sampling design for DNA-based mark-recapture analysis of Sonoran pronghorn
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Data from: Reliable genotyping of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) using DNA isolated from a single faecal pellet
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Supplementary material 1 from: Hubancheva A, Bozicevic V, Morinière J, Goerlitz HR (2023) DNA metabarcoding data from faecal samples of the lesser (Myotis blythii) and the greater (Myotis myotis) mouse-eared bats from Bulgaria. Metabarcoding and Metagenomics 7: e106844. https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.7.106844
Metabarcoding data from M. myotis and M. blythii from Bulgaria
Dietary analysis of the House Swift, Apus nipalensis, in Hong Kong using prey DNA in faecal samples
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The Diagnostic Accuracy of Using Faecal-DNA Test (COLOSAFE) for Colorectal Cancer Screening
ClinicalTrials.gov study NCT04030637. IPD Sharing: UNDECIDED. Countries: 1. Publications: 0.
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