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Buzan E, Potočnik H, Pokorny B, Potušek S, Iacolina L, Gerič U, Urzi F, Kos I. Molecular analysis of scats revealed diet and prey choice of grey wolves and Eurasian lynx in the contact zone between the Dinaric Mountains and the Alps. Front Zool 2024; 21:9. [PMID: 38500207 PMCID: PMC10949697 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-024-00530-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of the dietary habits of carnivores is essential to get ecological insights into their role in the ecosystem, potential competition with other carnivorous species, and their effect on prey populations. Genetic analysis of non-invasive samples, such as scats, can supplement behavioural or microscopic diet investigations. The objective of this study was to employ DNA metabarcoding to accurately determine the prey species in grey wolf (Canis lupus) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) scat samples collected in the Julian Alps and the Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. The primary prey of wolves were red deer (Cervus elaphus) (detected in 96% scat samples), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (68%), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) (45%). A smaller portion of their diet consisted of mesocarnivores, small mammals, and domestic animals. In contrast, the lynx diet mostly consisted of European roe deer (82%) and red deer (64%). However, small mammals and domestic animals were also present in lynx diet, albeit to a lesser extent. Our findings indicate that the dietary habits of wolves and lynx are influenced by geographical location. Snapshot dietary analyses using metabarcoding are valuable for comprehending the behaviour and ecology of predators, and for devising conservation measures aimed at sustainable management of both their natural habitats and prey populations. However, to gain a more detailed understanding of wolf and lynx dietary habits and ecological impact, it would be essential to conduct long-term genetic monitoring of their diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Buzan
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
- Faculty of Environmental Protection, Trg mladosti 7, 3320, Velenje, Slovenia
| | - Hubert Potočnik
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boštjan Pokorny
- Faculty of Environmental Protection, Trg mladosti 7, 3320, Velenje, Slovenia
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sandra Potušek
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Laura Iacolina
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Frederik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Urška Gerič
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Felicita Urzi
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000, Koper, Slovenia.
| | - Ivan Kos
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Hess SC, Weiss KCB, Custer JM, Lewis JS, Kraberger S, Varsani A. Identification of small circular DNA viruses in coyote fecal samples from Arizona (USA). Arch Virol 2023; 169:12. [PMID: 38151635 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05937-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Coyotes (Canis latrans) have a broad geographic distribution across North and Central America. Despite their widespread presence in urban environments in the USA, there is limited information regarding viruses associated with coyotes in the USA and in particular the state of Arizona. To explore viruses associated with coyotes, particularly small DNA viruses, 44 scat samples were collected (April-June 2021 and November 2021-January 2022) along the Salt River near Phoenix, Arizona (USA), along 43 transects (500 m). From these samples, we identified 11 viral genomes: two novel circoviruses, six unclassified cressdnaviruses, and two anelloviruses. One of the circoviruses is most closely related to a circovirus sequence identified from an aerosolized dust sample in Arizona, USA. The second circovirus is most closely related to a rodent-associated circovirus and canine circovirus. Of the unclassified cressdnaviruses, three encode replication-associated proteins that are similar to those found in protists (Histomonas meleagridis and Monocercomonoides exilis), implying an evolutionary relationship with or a connection to similar unidentified protist hosts. The two anelloviruses are most closely related to those found in rodents, and this suggests a diet-related identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savage C Hess
- The School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Katherine C B Weiss
- The School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Joy M Custer
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Jesse S Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus, 6073 South Backus Mall, Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Simona Kraberger
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
- Center of Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
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Ruiz‐Villar H, Urra F, Jubete F, Morales‐González A, Adrados B, Revilla E, Rivilla JC, Román J, Seijas J, López‐Bao JV, Palomares F. Presence of pastoral fields in mountain landscapes influences prey consumption by European wildcats. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Ruiz‐Villar
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, CSIC‐UO‐PA) Oviedo University – Campus Mieres Mieres Spain
| | - F. Urra
- Asociación de Naturalistas Palentinos Fuentes de Nava Spain
| | - F. Jubete
- Asociación de Naturalistas Palentinos Fuentes de Nava Spain
| | - A. Morales‐González
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Seville Spain
| | - B. Adrados
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Seville Spain
| | - E. Revilla
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Seville Spain
| | - J. C. Rivilla
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Seville Spain
| | - J. Román
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Seville Spain
| | - J. Seijas
- C/Rio Sil 140, Golpéjar de la Sobarriba León Spain
| | - J. V. López‐Bao
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, CSIC‐UO‐PA) Oviedo University – Campus Mieres Mieres Spain
| | - F. Palomares
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD‐CSIC) Seville Spain
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Jensen AJ, Marneweck CJ, Kilgo JC, Jachowski DS. Coyote diet in North America: geographic and ecological patterns during range expansion. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Jensen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
| | - Courtney J. Marneweck
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
| | - John C. Kilgo
- USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station New Ellenton South Carolina 29809 USA
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson South Carolina 29631 USA
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Tintner J, Hatlauf J, Weber H, Lanszki J. Molecular Recalcitrance of Hair Passing the Digestive System of a Canid. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194404. [PMID: 32992751 PMCID: PMC7582638 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair is an important component in scat that is commonly used for prey analyses in carnivores. Chemically, hair predominately consists of keratin. The recalcitrant fiber protein is degraded in nature only by a few insects and soil microorganisms. Common proteases such as pepsin do not decompose keratin. Infrared spectroscopy was used to detect chemical differences caused by pretreatment and fate of hairs. Three sample sets were compared: original untreated hair, original milled hair, and hairs extracted from scats of golden jackals (Canis aureus L.). The results revealed that only milling affected the infrared spectral pattern, whereas digestion had no impact. Moreover, hairs from different species (e.g., boar) could be distinguished due to their spectral characteristics. They did not change through the passage of the digestive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Tintner
- Institute of Physics and Materials Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter Jordan Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-47654-89174
| | - Jennifer Hatlauf
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Heidi Weber
- Institute of Physics and Materials Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter Jordan Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - József Lanszki
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation, Kaposvár University, P.O. Box 16, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary;
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Bonin M, Dussault C, Taillon J, Lecomte N, Côté SD. Combining stable isotopes, morphological, and molecular analyses to reconstruct the diet of free-ranging consumers. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6664-6676. [PMID: 32724540 PMCID: PMC7381590 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate estimates of animal diet composition are essential to untangle complex interactions in food webs. Biomarkers and molecular tools are increasingly used to estimate diet, sometimes alongside traditional dietary tracing methods. Yet only a few empirical studies have compared the outcomes and potential gains of using a combination of these methods, especially using free-ranging animals with distinct foraging preferences.We used stable isotopes, morphological, and molecular analyses to investigate the diet of free-ranging consumers with two distinct diet types, that is, carnivore and omnivore. By combining the three analytical methods to assess the diet of consumers during the same period, we aimed to identify the limits of each method and to assess the potential benefits of their combined use to derive diet estimates.Our results showed that the different methods led to a consistent diet description for carnivores, which have a relatively simple diet mixture, but their outcomes somewhat differed for omnivore, which have a more complex diet. Still, the combined use of morphological and molecular analyses enhanced the diversity of food sources detected compared to the use of a single method independently of diet types. Precision of diet estimates derived from stable isotope analyses was improved by the addition of priors obtained from morphological and molecular diet analyses of the same population.Although we used free-ranging animals without a known diet, our empirical testing of three of the most widely used methods of diet determination highlights the limits of relying over a single approach, especially in systems with few or no a priori information about the foraging habits of consumers. The choice of an appropriate approach of diet description should be a key step when planning dietary studies of free-ranging populations. We recommend using more than one dietary determination methods especially for species with complex diet mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Bonin
- Caribou UngavaCentre d’études nordiquesUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
| | - Christian Dussault
- Caribou UngavaCentre d’études nordiquesUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
- Direction de l’expertise sur la faune terrestre, l’herpétofaune et l’avifauneMinistère des Forêts, de la Faune et des ParcsQuébecQCCanada
| | - Joëlle Taillon
- Caribou UngavaCentre d’études nordiquesUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
- Direction de l’expertise sur la faune terrestre, l’herpétofaune et l’avifauneMinistère des Forêts, de la Faune et des ParcsQuébecQCCanada
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Caribou UngavaCentre d’études nordiquesUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en écologie polaire et boréaleUniversité de MonctonMonctonNBCanada
| | - Steeve D. Côté
- Caribou UngavaCentre d’études nordiquesUniversité LavalQuébecQCCanada
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