Alteration of the gut microbial composition of critically endangered Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) in captivity during enrichment phase

Molecular Biology Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(1)

Published: June 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Spatio-temporal human snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conflicts and mitigation measures in Baltistan a free-livestock grazing pastoral areas

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 126724 - 126724

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Effects of free‐ranging livestock on occurrence and interspecific interactions of a mammalian community

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(7)

Published: April 26, 2022

Abstract Mammalian communities inhabiting temperate grasslands are of conservation concern globally, especially in Central Asia, where livestock numbers have dramatically increased recent decades, leading to overgrazing and land‐use change. Yet, how this pervasive presence herds affects the community wild mammals remains largely unstudied. We used systematic camera trapping at 216 sites across remote, mountainous areas Mongolian Altai Mountains assess spatial temporal patterns occurrence interspecific relationships within a mammalian that includes different categories livestock. By adopting recently proposed multispecies occupancy model incorporates correlation occupancy, we found several statistically strong correlations among species pairs, with majority involving The sign such associations was markedly species‐dependent, larger concern, namely, snow leopard Siberian ibex, avoiding presence. As predicted, evidence positive between predators their respective main prey. Contrary our expectations, number intraguild pairs also showed co‐occurrence, no spatiotemporal niche partitioning. Overall, study suggests encroaching into protected influences whole local mammals. Though pastoralism has coexisted wildlife for millennia central Asian grasslands, findings suggest policies practices decrease pressure husbandry on needed, special attention large species, as its prey, which seem be particularly sensitive

Language: Английский

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Snow Leopard Dietary Preferences and Livestock Predation Revealed by Fecal DNA Metabarcoding: No Evidence for Apparent Competition Between Wild and Domestic Prey

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Nov. 30, 2021

Accurate assessments of the patterns and drivers livestock depredation by wild carnivores are vital for designing effective mitigation strategies to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Snow leopard’s ( Panthera uncia ) range extensively overlaps pastoralist land-use predation there is widely reported, but ecological determinants consumption snow leopards remain obscure. We investigated leopard dietary habits at seven sites across Sanjiangyuan region Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP), an area central species’ global range. abundance, prey composition, density varied among those sites, thus allowing us test effects various factors on diet predation. Using DNA metabarcoding, we obtained highly resolved data from 351 genetically verified fecal samples. then analyzed preferences examined related their consumption. Across was composed mainly ungulates (mean = 81.5% sequences), particularly bharal Pseudois nayaur ), supplemented with (7.62%) smaller mammals (marmots, pikas, mice; 10.7%). showed a strong preference bharal, relative livestock, based densities. Interestingly, both proportional total increased linearly local biomass, not density. That, together slight negative relationship density, supports apparent facilitation between domestic prey. also found significant positive correlation population densities yet relationships Our results highlight importance sufficient ungulate abundance conservation viable populations. Additionally, protection critically needed losses depredation, especially where abundances high.

Language: Английский

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Metabarcoding of fecal DNA reveals the broad and flexible diet of a globally endangered bird

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 69(5), P. 501 - 513

Published: Sept. 8, 2022

Knowing the diet of endangered wild animals is a prerequisite for species-specific conservation and habitat management. The Sichuan partridge Arborophila rufipectus globally Galliformes species endemic to mountains southwest China. Existing information on this biased fragmented owing traditional observation methods. Little known about their dietary composition or how they respond temporal variations in food resources throughout year. In study, analysis was performed 60 fecal samples using DNA Metabarcoding invertebrates plants determine primary animal plant components across 3 critical periods adult life history (breeding, postbreeding wandering, overwintering). Preys from dipteran order, followed by lepidopteran araneaen spp., were predominant, animal-derived foods. Symplocos, Rubus, Celastrus, Holboellia, Actinidia spp. supply large abundance fruits seeds omnivorous bird. Substantial changes among general shift toward lower diversity during breeding season observed, suggesting that can adjust according availability own needs. Characterizing seasonal diets informs management native flora (the taxa generate berries seeds, such as which are likely interest) achieve full life-cycle conservation.

Language: Английский

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Use of DNA metabarcoding of bird pellets in understanding raptor diet on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China

Avian Research, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Aug. 21, 2021

Abstract Background Diet analysis is essential to understanding the functional role of large bird species in food webs. Morphological regurgitated pellet contents time intensive and may underestimate biodiversity. DNA metabarcoding has ability circumvent these issues, but yet be done. Methods We present a pilot study using MT-RNR1 MT-CO1 markers determine origin prey 45 pellets collected Qinghai Gansu Provinces, China. Results detected four raptor [Eurasian Eagle Owl ( Bubo bubo ), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Steppe Aquila nipalensis Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius )] 11 unique across 10 families 4 classes. Mammals were greatest class with Plateau Pika Ochotona curzoniae ) being most frequent. Observed Shannon’s Simpson’s diversity for 1.089 0.479, respectively, while expected values 1.312 ± 0.266 0.485 0.086. For Eurasian Owl, observed 1.202 0.565, 1.502 0.340 0.580 0.114. Interspecific dietary niche partitioning between two was not detected. Conclusions Our results demonstrate successful use diet via novel noninvasive sample type identify common uncommon species. More work needed understand how diets vary locally, mechanisms that enable exploitation similar resources. This approach wide ranging applicability other birds prey, demonstrates power noninvasively.

Language: Английский

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High-throughput sequencing reveals dietary segregation in Malaysian babblers

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 68(4), P. 381 - 389

Published: Sept. 3, 2021

The coexistence of numerous species within a community results from how those use available resources. Babblers are one the major groups Malaysian insectivorous birds, which frequently forage in dense vegetation cover and have high level sympatry. Therefore, examining diet, prey selection, niche segregation babblers can be challenging. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to investigate potential dietary overlap or among 10 babbler 4 genera family Pellorneidae Timaliidae: Pellorneum, Malacopteron, Stachyris, Cyanoderma central peninsular Malaysia. We tested hypothesis that trophically similar may differ resource avoid competitive exclusion. identified 81 distinct arthropod taxa fecal samples, belonging 71 families representing 13 orders, were predominantly 16 dipteran, lepidopteran, coleopteran families. Of all consumed, 45% found across species, ˂35% shared simultaneously by ≥3 indicating minimal overlap. black-throated Stachyris nigricollis moustached Malacopteron magnirostre had most generalist tendencies because they consumed greater variety taxa. Small values (Ojk) relatively wide range food resources suggest occurred studied babblers. great diversity revealed presence flexibility sympatric thus reducing any active competition facilitating through partitioning.

Language: Английский

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Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Genetics: The Knowledge Gaps, Needs, and Implications for Conservation

Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 101(2), P. 279 - 290

Published: April 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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Multiple species‐specific molecular markers using nanofluidic array as a tool to detect prey DNA from carnivore scats

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(17), P. 11739 - 11748

Published: Aug. 1, 2021

Abstract Large carnivore feeding ecology plays a crucial role for management and conservation predators their prey. One of the keys to this kind research is identify species composition in predator diet, example, prey determination from scat content. DNA‐based methods applied detect predators’ scats are viable alternatives traditional macroscopic approaches, showing an increased reliability higher detection rate. Here, we developed molecular method identification wolf ( Canis lupus ) using multiple species‐specific marker loci on cytochrome b gene 18 target species. The final panel consisted 80 assays, with minimum four markers per species, that amplified specifically when high‐throughput Nanofluidic array technology (Fluidigm Inc.). As practical DNA collected Sweden. Depending number amplifying required obtain positive call scat, success determining at least one ranged 44% 92%. Although highlight need evaluate optimal sensitive detection, fast cost‐efficient tool it also has potential be further other areas large carnivores as well.

Language: Английский

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Seasonal space use and habitat selection of GPS collared snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the Mongolian Altai range

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(1), P. e0280011 - e0280011

Published: Jan. 17, 2023

Although the home range and habitat selection of animal species is among fundamental pieces biological information collected by research projects during recent decades, published on snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) limited. The Altai Mountains central Asia contain some largest most important remaining conservation landscapes for leopards globally, but there a limited understanding species’ ecology in this region. First, we used data from 5 equipped with GPS collars at four study sites Mongolia to broadly characterize patterns use between 2013 2019. was calculate size 10 month period using three different estimators: minimum convex polygons (MCP), kernel density distributions (KDE), local hulls (LoCoH). Second, ten sets 8 individual were combined cover all 12 months year generate general additive mixed model seasonal resource use. We found 1) large variation ranges monitoring ranging minimally 26.1 395.3km 2 (MCP); 2) Local hull smaller compared based kernels yielded more biologically appropriate estimates; 3) monthly males larger than females; 4) female decreased summer, while male remained stable throughout year; and, 5) both sexes shared similar preference winter (steep south-western slopes high elevation), our suggest preferences summer. Knowledge space threatened crucial their conservation, especially true apex predators who often provide benefits an entire ecosystem. Our provides preliminary spatial area critical concern.

Language: Английский

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