Dietary niche overlap and resource partitioning among six steppe passerines of Central Spain using DNA metabarcoding

Ibis, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 165(3), P. 905 - 923

Published: Feb. 9, 2023

Trophic niche partitioning is a mechanism that facilitates the coexistence of ecologically similar species by sharing their resource use. However, detailed information trophic in insectivorous birds usually limited lack accurate identification consumed food resources. The use DNA metabarcoding has proved useful for molecular taxa present bird faecal samples. Here, we used this technique to study diets six steppe passerine distributed two Special Protection Areas central Spain, and characterize dietary overlap prey composition differences between species. In total, distinguished 112 diet items, covering 39 arthropod families 13 orders. Although significant existed composition, our results indicated 74% niche, mostly due high consumption abundant such as beetles, grasshoppers spiders breeding season all lowest was found niches Greater Short‐toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Dupont's Chersophilus duponti , scarce threatened species, which appeared be with most distinct within community. Our make contribution knowledge shrub‐steppe interactions, indicating some extent interspecific occurs area, notably Lark. demonstrates value assessment provides ecological design biodiversity conservation programmes increasingly habitats.

Language: Английский

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Seasonal diet partition among top predators of a small island, Iriomote Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: April 2, 2024

Abstract Small islands tend to lack predators because species at higher trophic levels often cannot survive. However, two exceptional top predators—the Iriomote cat Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis , and the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela perplexus —live on small Island in Ryukyu Archipelago. To understand how these coexist with limited resources, we focused their seasonal diets between which conflicts are considered occur. compare diets, used DNA metabarcoding analysis of faecal samples. In summer, identified 16 unique prey items from samples 15 winter, 37 14, respectively. Using a non-metric multidimensional scaling permutational multivariate variance, our study reveals significant differences diet composition order level during both seasons. Furthermore, although some species-to-order overlapped them, frequency occurrence most differed These results suggest that this difference is one reasons why able such island.

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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Continental scale dietary patterns in a New World raptor using web-sourced photographs

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(7), P. e0304740 - e0304740

Published: July 15, 2024

Dietary studies are essential to better understand raptor ecology and resource requirements through time space, informing species habitat use, interspecific interactions demographic rates. Methods used collect data on diets can constrain how dietary analyses be interpreted. Traditional approaches study diets, such as analysis of pellets or prey remains, often provide at the local population level tend restricted pairs during breeding season. The increasing use citizen science has potential inferences larger spatial, temporal scales. Using web-sourced photography, we explore continental-scale latitudinal patterns between adult non-adult Crested Caracaras (Caracara plancus), throughout species' range across Americas. We analysed 1,555 photographs caracaras feeding found no age effects probabilities different food groups being included in photographs. probability reptiles from northern was significantly higher than those southern population, with opposite pattern for birds. There were significant fishes invertebrates diet towards equator. Contrastingly, mammals increased away equator both populations. Assuming focal is well-sampled, photography improve our understanding large-scales complements more traditional approaches. This approach accessible researchers without access field expertise physical identification techniques.

Language: Английский

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Seasonal changes in invertebrate diet of breeding black‐necked cranes (Grus nigricollis)

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(9)

Published: Aug. 29, 2024

Invertebrates greatly support the growth, development, and reproduction of insectivorous birds. However, influence human activity (e.g., pesticide use, deforestation, urbanization) inevitably leads to a decrease in global arthropods. The diversity variation invertebrate diet food composition birds, especially species living rapidly changing environments, such as Tibetan Plateau. little is known seasonal response environmental changes. Here, we characterized pre- post-breeding black-necked crane (

Language: Английский

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Seasonal variations in the plant diet of the Chinese Monal revealed by fecal DNA metabarcoding analysis

Avian Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 100034 - 100034

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

The Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) is an alpine-obligate galliform species of global conservation priority. It has been listed as a first class protected wildlife in China, requiring actions during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. However, diet composition and its seasonal variations have rarely studied, constraining effective species. Here, we investigated plant using DNA metabarcoding approach on fecal samples. We collected 190 samples Monals from central Qionglai Mountains located analyzed this approach. Taxonomic profiling higher plants was performed second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) amplicon. Downstream analyses, including rarefaction curves, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) permutational multivariate analysis variance (PERMANOVA), were used to explore composition. foraged wide range recipes composed 35 families 83 genera throughout year, with Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Poaceae dominant families, Cardamine genus. consumed 62 28 breeding season (n ​= ​81) 66 31 non-breeding ​109). Further, significantly varied between seasons, especially for frequency occurrence relative read abundances at genus level. Our study high resolution time, results revealed that adapted phenology foraging strategy. Fritillaria species, previously confirmed important food resource Monal, not detected any samples, potentially due overharvesting bulbs Traditional Medicine. Therefore, highly recommend further restriction herb gathering habitats facilitate endangered Altogether, our enriches essential ecological information also provides insights into management

Language: Английский

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DNA metabarcoding uncovers the diet of subterranean rodents in China

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. e0258078 - e0258078

Published: April 28, 2022

Objective A type of rodent called a zokor causes great harm to agriculture and forestry production due its large sophisticated diet. As this lives subterrane for most life, researchers know little about dietary habits. Further understanding diet is important developing green sustainable control strategies the zokor. Methods Chloroplast trn L gene internal transcription spacer 1 primers were selected high-throughput sequencing stomach contents captured by DNA metabarcoding. Results total 25 zokors selected, food list 32 families, 80 genera, 154 species was obtained. At family level, it found that mainly fed on Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Pinaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae. genus Echinops , Littledalea Artemisia Picea Cirsium Elymus . The alpha diversity Eospalax cansus slightly higher than ( P >0.05). zokor’s highly phconsistent with resources habitat. Most choices tend be same between two zokors. They primarily Calamagrostis Medicago Sanguisorba Taraxacum Zokors roots perennial herbs, which are source energy. Conclusion High-throughput sequencing-based metabarcoding technology has effectively revealed indicated generalists.

Language: Английский

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Seasonal Diet Partition among Top Predators of a Small Island, Iriomotejima Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

Abstract Small islands lack predators because species at higher trophic levels often cannot survive. However, two top predators—the Iriomote cat Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis , and the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela perplexus —live on small Iriomotejima Island in Ryukyu Archipelago. To understand how these coexist island with limited resources, we focused their seasonal diets which are considered crucial for survival such an ecosystem. compare of them, used DNA metabarcoding analysis fecal samples. In summer, identified 16 prey items from samples, 15 winter, 37 14 items, respectively. Using a non-metric multidimensional scaling permutational multivariate variance, our study reveals significant differences diet composition order level between during both seasons. Furthermore, although some species-to-order overlapped frequency occurrence most differed These results suggest that this difference was one reasons why coexisted island.

Language: Английский

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All-you-can-eat buffet: A spider-specialized bat species (Myotis emarginatus) turns into a pest fly eater around cattle

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(5), P. e0302028 - e0302028

Published: May 8, 2024

Determining the dietary spectrum of European insectivorous bats over time is cornerstone their conservation, as it will aid our understanding foraging behavior plasticity in response to plummeting insect populations. Despite global decline insects, a restricted number arthropod pest species thrive. Yet past research has overlooked potential suppress pests harmful woodlands or livestock, spite economic relevance. Here we investigated diet composition, its breeding season variations and consumption an bat (Myotis emarginatus), at northern edge range (Wallonia, Belgium). We also explored prey ecology gain insight into hunting strategies habitats this species. used DNA metabarcoding amplify two COI markers within 195 droppings collected June, July August, thereby identifying 512 taxa predominated by Diptera, Araneae Lepidoptera. Overall, 97% samples detected least one 58 taxa, 41 which targeting trees. The June were marked rich orb-weaver spiders, accordance with archetypal M. emarginatus bats. However, during highly energy demanding July-August parturition lactation period, roughly 55% dropping contained cattle fly (Stomoxys calcitrans Musca domestica). Moreover, among 88 Diptera preyed upon these flies accounted for around 50% occurrences. This plasticity-the switch from spider-rich fly-rich diet-seems providential considering dramatic ongoing drop populations but involves ensuring bat-friendly farming. Our results revealed that widely consume entomofauna, highlighting role allies forest managers farmers.

Language: Английский

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Synergistic effects of climate and urbanisation on the diet of a globally near threatened subtropical falcon

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Abstract Understanding how human activities affect wildlife is fundamental for global biodiversity conservation. Ongoing land use change and human‐induced climate change, compel species to adapt their behaviour in response shifts natural environments. Such responses include changes a species' diet or trophic ecology, with implications the wider ecosystem. This particularly case predatory those that occupy high positions within webs, such as raptors. Between 2002 2019, we observed 1578 feeding events of globally near threatened understudied, Red‐necked Falcon ( Falco chicquera ) Bangladesh. We explored effects mean monthly temperature, precipitation, temperature differences, urban cover on (a) prey weights (b) dietary composition 15 falcon pairs. Falcons hunted smaller items during months increased temperatures more areas. However, falcons tended larger items. Being specialist aerial hunters, these patterns were largely driven by probabilities bats birds diet. likely warmer wetter months. Furthermore, pairs bats, whereas rural birds. Mean difference, i.e., proxy was better at explaining probability than alone. Anthropogenic can have deleterious declining populations conservation concern. The urbanisation are expected continue into foreseeable future. Therefore, our findings represent cornerstone understanding respond an increasingly human‐dominated world.

Language: Английский

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