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Liu S, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Harms L, Schulte L, Mischke S, Kruse S, Zhang C, Herzschuh U. Tibetan terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems collapsed with cryosphere loss inferred from sedimentary ancient metagenomics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn8490. [PMID: 38781339 PMCID: PMC11114237 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn8490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Glacier and permafrost shrinkage and land-use intensification threaten mountain wildlife and affect nature conservation strategies. Here, we present paleometagenomic records of terrestrial and aquatic taxa from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau covering the last 18,000 years to help understand the complex alpine ecosystem dynamics. We infer that steppe-meadow became woodland at 14 ka (cal BP) controlled by cryosphere loss, further driving a herbivore change from wild yak to deer. These findings weaken the hypothesis of top-down control by large herbivores in the terrestrial ecosystem. We find a turnover in the aquatic communities at 14 ka, transitioning from glacier-related (blue-green) algae to abundant nonglacier-preferring picocyanobacteria, macrophytes, fish, and otters. There is no evidence for substantial effects of livestock herding in either ecosystem. Using network analysis, we assess the stress-gradient hypothesis and reveal that root hemiparasitic and cushion plants are keystone taxa. With ongoing cryosphere loss, the protection of their habitats is likely to be of conservation benefit on the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Liu
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam 14473, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14469, Germany
| | - Kathleen R. Stoof-Leichsenring
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam 14473, Germany
| | - Lars Harms
- Computing and Data Centre, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven 27570, Germany
| | - Luise Schulte
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam 14473, Germany
| | - Steffen Mischke
- Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík 102, Iceland
| | - Stefan Kruse
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam 14473, Germany
| | - Chengjun Zhang
- School of Earth Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 73000, China
| | - Ulrike Herzschuh
- Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam 14473, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14469, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany
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Buglione M, Petrelli S, Troiano C, Notomista T, Rivieccio E, Fulgione D. The diet of otters ( Lutra lutra) on the Agri river system, one of the most important presence sites in Italy: a molecular approach. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9606. [PMID: 32821542 PMCID: PMC7395603 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) underwent a strong decline in large areas of the Central-Western part of its distribution range, during the second half of the twentieth century. In Italy, only residual fragmented nuclei survive in the Central-Southern part of the peninsula. Nowadays, the otter is one of the most endangered mammals in Italy, and increasing the knowledge about the ecology of this species is a key step in defining fitting management strategies. Here we provide information about the diet of otter on the Agri river system, one of the most important presence sites in Italy, to understand both the species’ food requirements and the impact on fish communities. Methods DNA metabarcoding and High Throughput Sequencing were used on DNA extracted from spraints. We amplified DNA with a primer set for vertebrates, focusing efforts on the bulk of the otter’s diet (fishes and amphibians). Results Our findings showed that the diet of the otter was dominated by cyprinids (97.77%, and 99.14% of fishes), while amphibians represented 0.85% of the sequences analyzed. Results are in general accordance with previous studies based on morphological characterization; however, molecular analyses allow the resolving of some morphological uncertainties. Although the study area offers a very wide range of available prey, the diet of the otters shows marked selectivity. We highlighted a variation in prey consumed, in accordance with the typology of water system (i.e., river, lake, tributary). Some of the preys found in the diet were alien species introduced by man for sport fishing. Our findings could help define strategies useful for the conservation of the otter population in Southern Italy, suggesting management actions directed at avoiding fish community alterations through illegal stockings without severe controls on their taxonomic status. These introductions could result in a general reduction in the diversity of the otter’s preys, affecting its predatory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Buglione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Simona Petrelli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Claudia Troiano
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Tommaso Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rivieccio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
| | - Domenico Fulgione
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, Italy
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Hong S, Gim JS, Kim HG, Cowan PE, Joo GJ. A molecular approach to identifying the relationship between resource use and availability in Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In South Korea, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758)), a semi-aquatic carnivore, is found mainly in lower order streams that tend to have a low abundance of preferred prey fish species. To investigate the relationship between resource use and availability, we used DNA barcoding to identify otter diet items in 24 otter spraints (faeces) from 16 sites along the Nakdong River basin from 4 to 6 June 2014. At these sites fish availability was assessed using scoop nets and casting nets. Fish formed the bulk of otter diet, which included also frogs, mammals, and reptiles. By DNA barcoding (success rate: 72.38%), we identified 79 prey items from 105 bone remains. The diet comprised mostly fish, but frogs, mammals, and reptiles were also identified. The fish fauna and otter diet composition differed significantly. Across the study sites, members of the Cyprinidae dominated in netted samples, but occurred less frequently in otter diet. Because most Cyprinidae are fast swimmers, otters also fed on benthic fishes and frogs, suggesting limited foraging flexibility in otters and specialization on more slowly moving prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwon Hong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Gumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Soo Gim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Gumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Gyeom Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Gumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Phil E. Cowan
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
| | - Gea-Jae Joo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Gumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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Smiroldo G, Gariano P, Balestrieri A, Manenti R, Pini E, Tremolada P. Predation on Amphibians May Enhance Eurasian Otter Recovery in Southern Italy. Zoolog Sci 2019; 36:273-283. [PMID: 34664897 DOI: 10.2108/zs180147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mediterranean freshwaters undergo extreme seasonal variation in water flow, which, exacerbated by water withdrawal for agriculture or hydroelectric purposes, may affect fish communities and thus prey availability for semi-aquatic predators, such as Eurasian otter Lutra lutra. To investigate the role played by food availability on the ongoing recovery of an otter population at the southernmost limit of its Italian range, we assessed otter diet by the analysis of 357 spraints collected from 2014 to 2017 on eight rivers, and both fish and amphibian availability by, respectively, electrofishing and visual encounter surveys. Fish and amphibians formed the bulk of otter diet, the latter resource contributing as much as fish to otter diet in spring. Use by otters of both fish and amphibians depended only fish availability, suggesting that amphibians constituted an alternative resource to be exploited in conditions of fish shortage. Accordingly, electrofishing showed that fish biomass may barely be sufficient to sustain the current otter population. ATR-FT-IR spectroscopy allowed to point out for the first time the occurrence of amphibian eggs in otter spraints, although the co-occurrence of anuran bones did not allow to discriminate between direct and passive predation. Overall results indicate that the expansion or even survival of this small otter population may depend on the effective management of water resources and reinforcement of fish assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Smiroldo
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy,
| | | | - Alessandro Balestrieri
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Raoul Manenti
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Pini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche - Sezione di Chimica Generale e Organica "A. Marchesini", Università di Milano, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Tremolada
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
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Smiroldo G, Villa A, Tremolada P, Gariano P, Balestrieri A, Delfino M. Amphibians in Eurasian otter
Lutra lutra
diet: osteological identification unveils hidden prey richness and male‐biased predation on anurans. Mamm Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Smiroldo
- Department of Environmental Sciences and PolicyUniversity of Milan Via G. Celoria, 26 I‐20133 Milan Italy
| | - Andrea Villa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della TerraUniversità di Torino Via Valperga Caluso 35 10125 Torino Italy
| | - Paolo Tremolada
- Department of Environmental Sciences and PolicyUniversity of Milan Via G. Celoria, 26 I‐20133 Milan Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Balestrieri
- Department of Environmental Sciences and PolicyUniversity of Milan Via G. Celoria, 26 I‐20133 Milan Italy
| | - Massimo Delfino
- Department of Environmental Sciences and PolicyUniversity of Milan Via G. Celoria, 26 I‐20133 Milan Italy
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel CrusafontUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona Edifici ICP, Campus de la UAB s/n 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès Barcelona Spain
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Morales J, Ruiz-Olmo J, Lizana M, Gutiérrez J. Skinning toads is innate behaviour in otter (Lutra lutra) cubs. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2015.1076525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Morales
- Área de Biología Animal, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - J. Ruiz-Olmo
- Direcció General del Medi Natural, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. Lizana
- Área de Biología Animal, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - J. Gutiérrez
- Área de Biología Animal, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Almeida D, Rodolfo N, Sayer CD, Copp GH. Seasonal use of ponds as foraging habitat by Eurasian otter with description of an alternative handling technique for common toad predation. FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2013. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v62.i3.a7.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Almeida
- Salmon & Freshwater Team, Cefas-Lowestoft, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OHT, U.K.
- Centre for Conservation Ecology & Environmental Change, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, U.K.
| | - Nahuel Rodolfo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona 17071, Spain
| | - Carl D. Sayer
- Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Gordon H. Copp
- Salmon & Freshwater Team, Cefas-Lowestoft, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OHT, U.K.
- Centre for Conservation Ecology & Environmental Change, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, U.K.
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
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