Molecular diet analysis of neotropical bats based on fecal DNA metabarcoding

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(12), P. 7474 - 7491

Published: May 2, 2021

Bat communities in the Neotropics are some of most speciose assemblages mammals on Earth, with regions supporting more than 100 sympatric species diverse feeding ecologies. Because bats small, nocturnal, and volant, it is difficult to directly observe their habits, which has resulted classification into broadly defined dietary guilds (e.g., insectivores, carnivores, frugivores). Apart from these broad guilds, we lack detailed information for many therefore have only a limited understanding interaction networks linking diet items. In this study, used DNA metabarcoding plants, arthropods, vertebrates investigate diets 25 bat tropical dry forests Lamanai, Belize. Our results report first detection items focal taxa, adding rich novel natural history field ecology. This study represents comprehensive effort apply at Lamanai provides useful methodological framework future studies testing hypotheses about coexistence niche differentiation context modern high-throughput molecular data.

Language: Английский

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Factors influencing the distribution, risk, and transport of microplastics and heavy metals for wildlife and habitats in “island” landscapes: From source to sink

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 476, P. 134938 - 134938

Published: June 17, 2024

Microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) are important pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems. In particular, the "island" landscape's weak resistance makes it vulnerable to pollution. However, there is a lack of research on MPs HMs island landscapes. Therefore, we used Helan Mountain as area. Assess concentrations, spatial distribution, ecological risks, sources, transport soil blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) feces. Variations geographical distribution showed connection between human activity pollutants. Risk assessment indicated wildlife were influenced by long-term pollutant polarization multi-element inclusion (I

Language: Английский

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Projected impacts of climate change on snow leopard habitat in Qinghai Province, China

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(23), P. 17202 - 17218

Published: Nov. 18, 2021

Abstract Assessing species’ vulnerability to climate change is a prerequisite for developing effective strategies reduce emerging climate‐related threats. We used the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt model) assess potential changes in suitable snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) habitat Qinghai Province, China, under mild scenario. Our results showed that area of Province was 302,821 km 2 current conditions and 228,997 2050s climatic scenario, with mean upward shift elevation 90 m. At present, nature reserves protect 38.78% currently will 42.56% future habitat. Current areas refugia amounted 212,341 are mainly distributed Sanjiangyuan region, Qilian mountains, surrounding areas. provide valuable information formulating meet conservation challenges brought on by stress. suggest efforts should focus protecting maintaining or building corridors when planning species management.

Language: Английский

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Co-occurrence of snow leopard, wolf and Siberian ibex under livestock encroachment into protected areas across the Mongolian Altai

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 261, P. 109294 - 109294

Published: Aug. 19, 2021

Language: Английский

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Narrow Dietary Niche With High Overlap Between Snow Leopards and Himalayan Wolves Indicates Potential for Resource Competition in Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Understanding species' dietary ecology and interspecific interactions is crucial for multi‐species conservation planning. In Central Asia the Himalayas, wolves have recolonized snow leopard habitats, raising considerable concern about resource competition between these apex predators. Using micro‐histological analysis of prey species remains (e.g., hair) in their fecal samples, we determined composition, niche breadth, extent diet overlap two predators Shey Phoksundo National Park, Nepal. We analyzed 152 scat samples collected along 89 survey transects from April to June 2021. Our findings reveal a significant diets (Pianka's index = 0.93), with wolf scats containing 11 10 species, respectively. However, difference selection was apparent, deviations observed expected use indicating non‐random relative availability: Snow leopards exhibited higher occurrence wild items (55.28%), primarily blue sheep ( Pseudois nayaur ) (24.83%), whereas relied predominantly on domestic livestock (67.89%), goats Capra hircus accounting over one‐fourth (29.15%). Yaks Bos grunniens comprised portion biomass consumed by both predators, (43.68%) than (36.47%). Overall, narrow breadth high indicates potential wolves. comprehensive understanding will require further study other axes partitioning, including habitat time. Nevertheless, region's low richness means that, increasing human influence, any reduction or increase could intensify wolves, which implications depredation.

Language: Английский

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Hide and seek in time and space: Spatiotemporal segregation between snow leopard and its prey in Northern Pakistan

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 59, P. e03543 - e03543

Published: March 22, 2025

Language: Английский

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Climate Change and Human Pressure: Assessing the Vulnerability of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Habitat Integrated With Prey Distribution on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Climate change is significantly altering the distribution of large carnivores and their primary prey species, with particular emphasis on changing in high‐altitude regions. The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, known for its rich biodiversity, highly sensitive to climate change, affecting habitats snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) blue sheep Pseudois nayaur ). Our study identified as through metagenomic analysis used bioclimatic data Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) information model habitat suitability under three scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, 8.5). Projections showed that 4.5 8.5, leopard will decrease by 13.0% 23.4%, while 38.3% 49.7%, respectively. These are expected shift higher altitudes, experiencing a more significant shift. Based these findings, we recommend adjusting protected area boundaries S1 (Ideal range), establishing ecological corridors S2 (stepping stone), implementing targeted measures mitigate human‐wildlife conflicts S3 (potential conflict area). To protect international efforts reduce carbon emissions, cross‐administrative cooperation, community‐based conservation strategies essential.

Language: Английский

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Snow Leopard habitat vulnerability assessment under climate change and connectivity corridor in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 25, 2025

Climate change is recognized as one of the greatest challenges to global biodiversity. The endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an apex predator in high-altitude mountain ecosystems, serves important indicator ecological health. Understanding impacts climate on distribution patterns essential for developing effective conservation strategies. Based BIOMOD2 model, this study assesses current suitable habitats and project future changes under various scenarios, well evaluates protection gap corridor construction Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. results indicated total area habitat approximately 686,200 km2 conditions. remains relatively stable or slightly increases low emissions while predictions show a gradual decline moderate high scenarios. Currently, are fragmented, with connectivity among patches, posing threats population. Vulnerable primarily located Altai, northwestern Junggar Basin, central Tianshan Mountains. Potential areas projected emerge Kunlun It suggested that greater focus be placed unprotected refugia, enhancing corridors, fostering cross-border cooperation, implementing long-term monitoring efforts. This provides valuable insights strategies aimed at mitigating populations Xinjiang,

Language: Английский

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Dietary diversity and niche partitioning of carnivores across the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China using DNA metabarcoding

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 103(5), P. 1005 - 1018

Published: April 28, 2022

Abstract Understanding predator guild resource use is vital for carnivore species preservation and ecosystem function in high-altitude landscapes. We describe the dietary composition, similarity, niche overlap seven across three regions of Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (Qilian Shan, East Burhanbuda Mountain, Yushu) using DNA metabarcoding 760 scat samples. Analyses found 33 unique prey items representative classes Mammalia, Aves, Actinopterygii. Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) pika (Ochotona sp.) were most frequently detected. Livestock diets ranged from 4% to 7% depending on site, but accounted 21.7% Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus) diet. Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), fox (Vulpes ferrilata), Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) had highly uneven diets. Intraguild predation mesocarnivores by apex carnivores was found. Analysis Pianka’s index showed that significantly greater than expected among all examined between mesocarnivores, though significant correlations body mass suggested broad separation consumed prey. Snow consistently similar any two given pairs. This study provides evidence high overlap. Protection a wide variety will benefit guilds area assist maintaining relatively low frequency livestock predation. work insight into dynamics living an has worldwide impacts, methods herein could be applied global scales conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China

eLife, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Jan. 24, 2024

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist natural ecosystems is a central research topic community ecology biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, dietary between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus , snow leopard Panthera uncia Eurasian lynx Lynx ) mesocarnivores (Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul red fox Vulpes vulpes Tibetan ferrilata Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that carnivore had more overlap temporally (coefficients of ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka’s index 0.458 0.892), mesocarnivore high with each other 0.945 0.997), temporal 0.497 0.855). Large was observed wolf = 0.892) Pallas’s suggesting the potential for increased resource competition these pairs. We concluded spatial likely driver facilitating coexistence species, while facilitate species. findings consider across dimensions examining diverse patterns China. These will contribute substantially current understanding guilds effective conservation management fragile alpine ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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