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Aihartza J, Vallejo N, Aldasoro M, García-Mudarra JL, Goiti U, Nogueras J, Ibáñez C. Aerospace-foraging bats eat seasonably across varying habitats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19576. [PMID: 37950015 PMCID: PMC10638376 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46939-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has confirmed the efficiency of insectivorous bats as pest suppressors, underlining the ecological services they offer in agroecosystems. Therefore, some efforts try to enhance bat foraging in agricultural landscapes by acting upon environmental factors favouring them. In this study, we monitored a Miniopterus schreibersii colony, in the southern Iberian Peninsula. We intensively sampled their faeces and analysed them by metabarcoding to describe how the bent-winged bat diet would change with time, and to test whether their most-consumed prey would seasonally depend on different landscapes or habitats. Our results confirm that M. schreibersii are selective opportunist predators of moths, dipterans, mayflies, and other fluttering insects, shifting their diet to temporary peaks of prey availability in their foraging range, including both pest and non-pest insects. Supporting our hypothesis, throughout the year, M. schreibersii consume insects linked to diverse open habitats, including wetlands, grassland, diverse croplands, and woodland. The importance of each prey habitat varies seasonally, depending on their insect phenology, making bats indirectly dependent on a diverse landscape as their primary prey source. Bats' predation upon pest insects is quantitatively high, consuming around 1610 kg in 5 months, of which 1467 kg correspond to ten species. So, their suppression effect may be relevant, mainly in patchy heterogeneous landscapes, where bats' foraging may concentrate in successive outbursts of pests, affecting different crops or woodlands. Our results stress that to take advantage of the ecosystem services of bats or other generalist insectivores, keeping the environmental conditions they require to thrive, particularly a heterogeneous landscape within the colony's foraging area, is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joxerra Aihartza
- Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Sarriena s/n, 48940, Leioa, The Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Nerea Vallejo
- Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Sarriena s/n, 48940, Leioa, The Basque Country, Spain
| | - Miren Aldasoro
- Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Sarriena s/n, 48940, Leioa, The Basque Country, Spain
| | | | - Urtzi Goiti
- Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Sarriena s/n, 48940, Leioa, The Basque Country, Spain
| | - Jesus Nogueras
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), P.O. Box 1056, 41080, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos Ibáñez
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), P.O. Box 1056, 41080, Sevilla, Spain
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2
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Kestel JH, Bateman PW, Field DL, White NE, Lines R, Nevill P. eDNA metabarcoding of avocado flowers: 'Hass' it got potential to survey arthropods in food production systems? Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:1540-1555. [PMID: 37237427 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In the face of global biodiversity declines, surveys of beneficial and antagonistic arthropod diversity as well as the ecological services that they provide are increasingly important in both natural and agro-ecosystems. Conventional survey methods used to monitor these communities often require extensive taxonomic expertise and are time-intensive, potentially limiting their application in industries such as agriculture, where arthropods often play a critical role in productivity (e.g. pollinators, pests and predators). Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of a novel substrate, crop flowers, may offer an accurate and high throughput alternative to aid in the detection of these managed and unmanaged taxa. Here, we compared the arthropod communities detected with eDNA metabarcoding of flowers, from an agricultural species (Persea americana-'Hass' avocado), with two conventional survey techniques: digital video recording (DVR) devices and pan traps. In total, 80 eDNA flower samples, 96 h of DVRs and 48 pan trap samples were collected. Across the three methods, 49 arthropod families were identified, of which 12 were unique to the eDNA dataset. Environmental DNA metabarcoding from flowers revealed potential arthropod pollinators, as well as plant pests and parasites. Alpha diversity levels did not differ across the three survey methods although taxonomic composition varied significantly, with only 12% of arthropod families found to be common across all three methods. eDNA metabarcoding of flowers has the potential to revolutionize the way arthropod communities are monitored in natural and agro-ecosystems, potentially detecting the response of pollinators and pests to climate change, diseases, habitat loss and other disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H Kestel
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David L Field
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rose Lines
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Nevill
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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3
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Ruparell A, Gibbs M, Colyer A, Wallis C, Harris S, Holcombe LJ. Developing diagnostic tools for canine periodontitis: combining molecular techniques and machine learning models. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:163. [PMID: 37723566 PMCID: PMC10507867 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03668-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dental plaque microbes play a key role in the development of periodontal disease. Numerous high-throughput sequencing studies have generated understanding of the bacterial species associated with both canine periodontal health and disease. Opportunities therefore exist to utilise these bacterial biomarkers to improve disease diagnosis in conscious-based veterinary oral health checks. Here, we demonstrate that molecular techniques, specifically quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) can be utilised for the detection of microbial biomarkers associated with canine periodontal health and disease. RESULTS Over 40 qPCR assays targeting single microbial species associated with canine periodontal health, gingivitis and early periodontitis were developed and validated. These were used to quantify levels of the respective taxa in canine subgingival plaque samples collected across periodontal health (PD0), gingivitis (PD1) and early periodontitis (PD2). When qPCR outputs were compared to the corresponding high-throughput sequencing data there were strong correlations, including a periodontal health associated taxa, Capnocytophaga sp. COT-339 (rs =0.805), and two periodontal disease associated taxa, Peptostreptococcaceae XI [G-4] sp. COT-019 (rs=0.902) and Clostridiales sp. COT-028 (rs=0.802). The best performing models, from five machine learning approaches applied to the qPCR data for these taxa, estimated 85.7% sensitivity and 27.5% specificity for Capnocytophaga sp. COT-339, 74.3% sensitivity and 67.5% specificity for Peptostreptococcaceae XI [G-4] sp. COT-019, and 60.0% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity for Clostridiales sp. COT-028. CONCLUSIONS A qPCR-based approach is an accurate, sensitive, and cost-effective method for detection of microbial biomarkers associated with periodontal health and disease. Taken together, the correlation between qPCR and high-throughput sequencing outputs, and early accuracy insights, indicate the strategy offers a prospective route to the development of diagnostic tools for canine periodontal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avika Ruparell
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - Matthew Gibbs
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Alison Colyer
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Corrin Wallis
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Stephen Harris
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Lucy J Holcombe
- Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK
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Dick C, Larson WA, Karpan K, Baetscher DS, Shi Y, Sethi S, Fangue NA, Henderson MJ. Prey ration, temperature, and predator species influence digestion rates of prey DNA inferred from qPCR and metabarcoding. Mol Ecol Resour 2023. [PMID: 37555692 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Diet analysis is a vital tool for understanding trophic interactions and is frequently used to inform conservation and management. Molecular approaches can identify diet items that are impossible to distinguish using more traditional visual-based methods. Yet, our understanding of how different variables, such as predator species or prey ration size, influence molecular diet analysis is still incomplete. Here, we conducted a large feeding trial to assess the impact that ration size, predator species, and temperature had on digestion rates estimated with visual identification, qPCR, and metabarcoding. Our trial was conducted by feeding two rations of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to two piscivorous fish species (largemouth bass [Micropterus salmoides] and channel catfish [Ictalurus punctatus]) held at two different temperatures (15.5 and 18.5°C) and sacrificed at regular intervals up to 120 h from the time of ingestion to quantify the prey contents remaining in the digestive tract. We found that ration size, temperature, and predator species all influenced digestion rate, with some indication that ration size had the largest influence. DNA-based analyses were able to identify salmon smolt prey in predator gut samples for much longer than visual analysis (~12 h for visual analysis vs. ~72 h for molecular analyses). Our study provides evidence that modelling the persistence of prey DNA in predator guts for molecular diet analyses may be feasible using a small set of controlling variables for many fish systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory Dick
- California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA
| | - Wesley A Larson
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratories, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Kirby Karpan
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratories, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Diana S Baetscher
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratories, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Yue Shi
- Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Suresh Sethi
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Nann A Fangue
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Mark J Henderson
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA
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5
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Drake LE, Cuff JP, Bedmar S, McDonald R, Symondson WOC, Chadwick EA. Otterly delicious: Spatiotemporal variation in the diet of a recovering population of Eurasian otters ( Lutra lutra) revealed through DNA metabarcoding and morphological analysis of prey remains. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10038. [PMID: 37181211 PMCID: PMC10170393 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Eurasian otters are apex predators of freshwater ecosystems and a recovering species across much of their European range; investigating the dietary variation of this predator over time and space, therefore, provides opportunities to identify changes in freshwater trophic interactions and factors influencing the conservation of otter populations. Here we sampled feces from 300 dead otters across England and Wales between 2007 and 2016, conducting both morphological analyses of prey remains and dietary DNA metabarcoding. Comparison of these methods showed that greater taxonomic resolution and breadth could be achieved using DNA metabarcoding but combining data from both methodologies gave the most comprehensive dietary description. All otter demographics exploited a broad range of taxa and variation likely reflected changes in prey distributions and availability across the landscape. This study provides novel insights into the trophic generalism and adaptability of otters across Britain, which is likely to have aided their recent population recovery, and may increase their resilience to future environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan P. Cuff
- School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUK
- Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
| | - Sergio Bedmar
- School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Department of Conservation BiologyDoñana Biological Station (EBD‐CSIC)SevillaSpain
| | - Robbie McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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6
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Paula DP, Andow DA. DNA High-Throughput Sequencing for Arthropod Gut Content Analysis to Evaluate Effectiveness and Safety of Biological Control Agents. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:302-332. [PMID: 36478343 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-022-01011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The search for effective biological control agents without harmful non-target effects has been constrained by the use of impractical (field direct observation) or imprecise (cage experiments) methods. While advances in the DNA sequencing methods, more specifically the development of high-throughput sequencing (HTS), have been quickly incorporated in biodiversity surveys, they have been slow to be adopted to determine arthropod prey range, predation rate and food web structure, and critical information to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a biological control agent candidate. The lack of knowledge on how HTS methods could be applied by ecological entomologists constitutes part of the problem, although the lack of expertise and the high cost of the analysis also are important limiting factors. In this review, we describe how the latest HTS methods of metabarcoding and Lazaro, a method to identify prey by mapping unassembled shotgun reads, can serve biological control research, showing both their power and limitations. We explain how they work to determine prey range and also how their data can be used to estimate predation rates and subsequently be translated into food webs of natural enemy and prey populations helping to elucidate their role in the community. We present a brief history of prey detection through molecular gut content analysis and also the attempts to develop a more precise formula to estimate predation rates, a problem that still remains. We focused on arthropods in agricultural ecosystems, but most of what is covered here can be applied to natural systems and non-arthropod biological control candidates as well.
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7
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Neidel V, Traugott M. Laboratory protocol is important to improve the correlation between target copies and metabarcoding read numbers of seed DNA in ground beetle regurgitates. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1995. [PMID: 36737468 PMCID: PMC9898267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding is increasingly important for studying feeding interactions, yet it remains unresolved whether reporting read counts or occurrences is to be preferred. To address this issue for gut content samples, basic experimental data on the relationship between read numbers and initial prey DNA amounts and how both change over digestion time is needed. Using regurgitates of the carabid Pseudoophonus rufipes the digestion of Taraxacum officinale seeds was documented for 128 h post-feeding to determine how the number of (1) seed DNA copies and (2) metabarcoding reads change over digestion time, and (3) how they correlate to each other. Additionally, we tested (4) whether PCR cycle-numbers during library preparation affect this correlation. The number of copies and reads both decreased with digestion time, but variation between samples was high. Read and copy numbers correlated when using a library preparation protocol with 35 cycles (R2 = 42.0%), yet a reduction to 30 cycles might significantly improve this correlation, as indicated by additional PCR testing. Our findings show that protocol optimization is important to reduce technical distortions of read numbers in metabarcoding analysis. However, high inter-sample variation, likely due to variable digestive efficiency of individual consumers, can blur the relationship between the amount of food consumed and metabarcoding read numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Neidel
- Applied Animal Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Michael Traugott
- Applied Animal Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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8
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Garrison JA, Motwani NH, Broman E, Nascimento FJA. Molecular diet analysis enables detection of diatom and cyanobacteria DNA in the gut of Macoma balthica. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278070. [PMID: 36417463 PMCID: PMC9683582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Detritivores are essential to nutrient cycling, but are often neglected in trophic networks, due to difficulties with determining their diet. DNA analysis of gut contents shows promise of trophic link discrimination, but many unknown factors limit its usefulness. For example, DNA can be rapidly broken down, especially by digestion processes, and DNA provides only a snapshot of the gut contents at a specific time. Few studies have been performed on the length of time that prey DNA can be detected in consumer guts, and none so far using benthic detritivores. Eutrophication, along with climate change, is altering the phytoplankton communities in aquatic ecosystems, on which benthic detritivores in aphotic soft sediments depend. Nutrient-poor cyanobacteria blooms are increasing in frequency, duration, and magnitude in many water bodies, while nutrient-rich diatom spring blooms are shrinking in duration and magnitude, creating potential changes in diet of benthic detritivores. We performed an experiment to identify the taxonomy and quantify the abundance of phytoplankton DNA fragments on bivalve gut contents, and how long these fragments can be detected after consumption in the Baltic Sea clam Macoma balthica. Two common species of phytoplankton (the cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena or the diatom Skeletonema marinoi) were fed to M. balthica from two regions (from the northern and southern Stockholm archipelago). After removing the food source, M. balthica gut contents were sampled every 24 hours for seven days to determine the number of 23S rRNA phytoplankton DNA copies and when the phytoplankton DNA could no longer be detected by quantitative PCR. We found no differences in diatom 18S rRNA gene fragments of the clams by region, but the southern clams showed significantly more cyanobacteria 16S rRNA gene fragments in their guts than the northern clams. Interestingly, the cyanobacteria and diatom DNA fragments were still detectable by qPCR in the guts of M. balthica one week after removal from its food source. However, DNA metabarcoding of the 23S rRNA phytoplankton gene found in the clam guts showed that added food (i.e. N. spumigena and S. marinoi) did not make up a majority of the detected diet. Our results suggest that these detritivorous clams therefore do not react as quickly as previously thought to fresh organic matter inputs, with other phytoplankton than large diatoms and cyanobacteria constituting the majority of their diet. This experiment demonstrates the viability of using molecular methods to determine feeding of detritivores, but further studies investigating how prey DNA signals can change over time in benthic detritivores will be needed before this method can be widely applicable to both models of ecological functions and conservation policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Garrison
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Nisha H. Motwani
- School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elias Broman
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francisco J. A. Nascimento
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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van der Heyde M, Bunce M, Nevill P. Key factors to consider in the use of environmental DNA metabarcoding to monitor terrestrial ecological restoration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157617. [PMID: 35901901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ecological restoration of terrestrial environments is a globally important process to combat the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Holistic monitoring of restored biota and active management of restoration is necessary to improve restoration processes and outcomes, and provide evidence to stakeholders that targets are being achieved. Increasingly, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is used as a restoration monitoring tool because it is able to generate biodiversity data rapidly, accurately, non-destructively, and reliably, on a wide breadth of organisms from soil microbes to mammals. The overall objective of this review is to discuss the key factors to consider in the use of environmental DNA for monitoring of restored terrestrial ecosystems, hopefully improving monitoring, and ultimately, restoration outcomes. We identified that the majority of eDNA based studies of ecosystem restoration are currently conducted in Europe, North America, and Australia, and that almost half of total studies were published in 2021-22. Soil was the most popular sample substrate, soil microbial communities the most targeted taxa, and forests the most studied ecosystem. We suggest there is no 'one size fits all' approach to restoration monitoring using eDNA, and discuss survey design. Factors to consider include substrate selection, sample collection and storage, assay selection, and data interpretation, all of which require careful planning to obtain reliable, and accurate information that can be used for restoration monitoring and decision making. We explore future directions for research and argue that eDNA metabarcoding can be a useful tool in the restoration monitoring 'toolkit', but requires informed application and greater accessibility to data by a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke van der Heyde
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, GPP Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Life and Molecular Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
| | - Michael Bunce
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Life and Molecular Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Kenepuru, Porirua 5022, New Zealand
| | - Paul Nevill
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, GPP Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Life and Molecular Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
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10
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Tercel MPTG, Cuff JP. The complex epistemological challenge of data curation in dietary metabarcoding: Comment on "The precautionary principle and dietary DNA metabarcoding: Commonly used abundance thresholds change ecological interpretation" by Littleford-Colquhoun et al. (2022). Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5653-5659. [PMID: 35778947 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In their article, Littleford-Colquhoun et al. (2022) advise against using arbitrary relative read abundance (RRA) thresholds (i.e., minimum sequence copy thresholds) for removing low-abundance sequences since they can increase false negative rates in dietary DNA metabarcoding data sets. The main criticisms presented against these widespread methods are that they (i) are arbitrary, often existing as standard values or defined based on researcher-selected delineations, (ii) are subjective, varying between studies and contexts, and, most problematically, (iii) result in the exclusion of true positives, particularly rarely consumed taxa, to the detriment of ecological insight. We commend the authors for presenting a refreshing and timely perspective on this often neglected topic, which is certainly in need of greater discussion following over a decade of significant advances in dietary metabarcoding. In this complex epistemological problem of false positives versus false negatives, we feel that several of the points raised deserve additional discussion. We address these aspects below, including measured approaches to data filtration and consistent representation of RRAs, and we welcome any further discourse to solidify or refute the concepts therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximillian P T G Tercel
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey, Channel Islands
| | - Jordan P Cuff
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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11
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Cuff JP, Kitson JJN, Hemprich-Bennett D, Tercel MPTG, Browett SS, Evans DM. The predator problem and PCR primers in molecular dietary analysis: swamped or silenced; depth or breadth? Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 23:41-51. [PMID: 36017818 PMCID: PMC10087656 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dietary metabarcoding has vastly improved our ability to analyse the diets of animals, but it is hampered by a plethora of technical limitations including potentially reduced data output due to the disproportionate amplification of the DNA of the focal predator, here termed 'the predator problem'. We review the various methods commonly used to overcome this problem, from deeper sequencing to exclusion of predator DNA during PCR, and how they may interfere with increasingly common multi-predator-taxon studies. We suggest that multi-primer approaches with an emphasis on achieving both depth and breadth of prey detections may overcome the issue to some extent, although multi-taxon studies require further consideration, as highlighted by an empirical example. We also review several alternative methods for reducing the prevalence of predator DNA that are conceptually promising but require additional empirical examination. The predator problem is a key constraint on molecular dietary analyses but, through this synthesis, we hope to guide researchers in overcoming this in an effective and pragmatic way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan P Cuff
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James J N Kitson
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Maximillian P T G Tercel
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, La Profonde Rue, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands
| | - Samuel S Browett
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Darren M Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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12
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Vidyadharani G, Vijaya Bhavadharani HK, Sathishnath P, Ramanathan S, Sariga P, Sandhya A, Subikshaa S, Sugumar S. Present and pioneer methods of early detection of food borne pathogens. JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 59:2087-2107. [PMID: 35602455 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-021-05130-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Food-borne pathogens are a severe threat to human illness and death world-wide. Researchers have reported more than 250 food-borne diseases. Most of these are infections caused by a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It has a significant economic impact also. Detection of pathogenic microbes is thus essential for food safety. Such identification techniques could meet the following parameters viz., the accuracy of detection techniques that are quick, efficient, economical, highly sensitive, specific, and non-labor intensive. The various available methods for detecting food pathogens are classified into different groups, each having its advantages and disadvantages. The conventional methods are usually the first choice of detection even though they are laborious. Modern techniques such as biosensors, immunological assays, and macromolecule-based (nucleic acid) methods are being developed and refined to overcome traditional methods' limitations. Early detection of pathogens and secure food safety at each stage of food processing to storage, utilizing improved methodologies are mandatory. This review summarizes the deadly food pathogens leading to significant outbreaks and discusses the importance of early detection methods and advanced detection methods in comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Vidyadharani
- Department of Microbiology, Valliammal College for Women, Chennai, TamilNadu 600102 India
| | - H K Vijaya Bhavadharani
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
| | - P Sathishnath
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
| | - Shruti Ramanathan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
| | - P Sariga
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
| | - A Sandhya
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
| | - S Subikshaa
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
| | - Shobana Sugumar
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu 603203 India
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13
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Molecular dietary analysis of Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins breeding sympatrically on Antarctic Ardley Island using fecal DNA. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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14
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Stapleton TE, Weinstein SB, Greenhalgh R, Dearing MD. Successes and limitations of quantitative diet metabarcoding in a small, herbivorous mammal. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2573-2586. [PMID: 35579046 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding is widely used to determine wild animal diets, however whether this technique provides accurate, quantitative measurements is still under debate. To test our ability to accurately estimate abundance of dietary items using metabarcoding, we fed wild caught desert woodrats (Neotoma lepida) diets comprised of constant amounts of juniper (Juniperus osteosperma, 15%) and varying amounts of creosote (Larrea tridentata, 1-60%), or cactus (Opuntia sp., 0-100%), and commercial chow (0-85%). Using metabarcoding, we compared the representation of items in the original diet samples to that in the fecal samples to test the sensitivity and accuracy of diet metabarcoding, the performance of different bioinformatic pipelines, and our ability to correct sequence counts. Metabarcoding, using standard trnL primers, detected creosote, juniper, and chow. Different pipelines for assigning taxonomy performed similarly. While creosote was detectable at dietary proportions as low as 1%, we failed to detect cactus in most samples, likely due to a primer mismatch. Creosote read counts increased as its proportion in the diet increased, and we could differentiate when creosote was a minor and major component of the diet. However, we found that estimates of juniper and creosote varied. Using previously suggested methods to correct these errors did not improve accuracy estimates of creosote, but did reduce error for juniper and chow. Our results indicate that metabarcoding can provide quantitative information on dietary composition, but may be limited. We suggest that researchers use caution in quantitatively interpreting diet metabarcoding results unless they first experimentally determine the extent of possible biases.
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15
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Groen K, Trimbos KB, Hein S, Blaauw AI, van Bodegom PM, Hahne J, Jacob J. Establishment of a fecal DNA quantification technique for rare and cryptic diet constituents in small mammals. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2220-2231. [PMID: 35297564 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
DNA-based approaches have highly improved the applicability of dietary studies aimed at investigating ecological processes. These studies have provided direct insights into, otherwise difficult to measure, interactions between species and trophic levels, food web structure and ecosystem functioning. However, despite these advances, DNA-based methods have been struggling to accurately quantify the whole breadth of diet constituents because of methodological biases, such as amplification bias and digestive processes. This study is, to our knowledge, the first diet study that used droplet digital PCR to quantify diet constituents. We manipulated the diet of wild caught wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) by feeding them with a known amount of small vegetable seeds (onion and carrot) and quantified the DNA traces of these diet constituents in fecal samples. The sensitivity of the technique combined with the control on the experimental design allowed mitigation of methodological bias. We were able to accurately determine DNA concentrations of small vegetable seeds in the diet of wood mice. Quantification of target DNA demonstrated significant differences in DNA content when one vs. five seeds were consumed. These differences remained significant when the age, sex, and other diet constituents of the mice were altered. Different DNA markers, targeting different parts of the chloroplast, influenced onion DNA detectability. However, all onion and carrot markers showed higher DNA content for higher seed numbers. Overall, the sensitive DNA based approach developed in this study allows for minimally-invasive quantification of small diet constituents in feces, which would otherwise be undetectable with traditional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Groen
- Environmental Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Van Steenis Building Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Krijn B Trimbos
- Environmental Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Van Steenis Building Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Hein
- Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany.,Present address: BASF SE, Agricultural Solutions - Global Ecotoxicology, Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - Astrid I Blaauw
- Environmental Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Van Steenis Building Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van Bodegom
- Environmental Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Van Steenis Building Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Joerg Hahne
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Terrestrial Vertebrates, Monheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Vertebrate Research, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Toppheideweg 88, 48161, Münster, Germany
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16
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Development of Quantitative Real-Time PCR for Detecting Environmental DNA Derived from Marine Macrophytes and Its Application to a Field Survey in Hiroshima Bay, Japan. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14050827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The sequestration and storage of carbon dioxide by marine macrophytes is called blue carbon; this ecosystem function of coastal marine ecosystems constitutes an important countermeasure to global climate change. The contribution of marine macrophytes to blue carbon requires a detailed examination of the organic carbon stock released by these macrophytes. Here, we introduce a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based environmental DNA (eDNA) system for the species-specific detection of marine macrophytes. and report its application in a field survey in Hiroshima Bay, Japan. A method of qPCR-based quantification was developed for mangrove, seagrass, Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta species, or species-complex, collected from the Japanese coast to investigate their dynamics after they wither and die in the marine environment. A trial of the designed qPCR system was conducted using sediment samples from Hiroshima Bay. Ulva spp. were abundant in coastal areas of the bay, yet their eDNA in the sediments was scarce. In contrast, Zostera marina and the Sargassum subgenus Bactrophycus spp. were found at various sites in the bay, and high amounts of their eDNA were detected in the sediments. These results suggest that the fate of macrophyte-derived organic carbon after death varies among species.
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17
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Cuff JP, Windsor FM, Tercel MPTG, Kitson JJN, Evans DM. Overcoming the pitfalls of merging dietary metabarcoding into ecological networks. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan P. Cuff
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Fredric M. Windsor
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel
- School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UK
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Jersey Channel Islands
| | - James J. N. Kitson
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Darren M. Evans
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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18
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Liu G, Zhang S, Zhao X, Li C, Gong M. Advances and Limitations of Next Generation Sequencing in Animal Diet Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121854. [PMID: 34946803 PMCID: PMC8701983 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diet analysis is a critical content of animal ecology and the diet analysis methods have been constantly improving and updating. Contrary to traditional methods of high labor intensity and low resolution, the next generation sequencing (NGS) approach has been suggested as a promising tool for dietary studies, which greatly improves the efficiency and broadens the application range. Here we present a framework of adopting NGS and DNA metabarcoding into diet analysis, and discuss the application in aspects of prey taxa composition and structure, intra-specific and inter-specific trophic links, and the effects of animal feeding on environmental changes. Yet, the generation of NGS-based diet data and subsequent analyses and interpretations are still challenging with several factors, making it possible still not as widely used as might be expected. We suggest that NGS-based diet methods must be furthered, analytical pipelines should be developed. More application perspectives, including nutrient geometry, metagenomics and nutrigenomics, need to be incorporated to encourage more ecologists to infer novel insights on they work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration in Beijing City, Wetland Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; (G.L.); (X.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Shumiao Zhang
- Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing 100076, China;
| | - Xinsheng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration in Beijing City, Wetland Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; (G.L.); (X.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration in Beijing City, Wetland Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; (G.L.); (X.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Minghao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration in Beijing City, Wetland Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100091, China; (G.L.); (X.Z.); (C.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-62884159
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19
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Kim J, Joo S, Park S. Diet composition of Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) from the Han River Estuary Wetland in Korea using fecal DNA. MAMMALIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
To investigate the foraging preferences of the Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) from the Janghang wetlands located in Han River estuary in South Korea, we elucidated their diet compositions using DNA extracted from their fecal samples. Samples were collected from the Janghang wetlands from June 2013 to January 2015. For dietary analysis, we amplified the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) regions, followed by cloning and sequencing. We were able to detect 20 families and 35 genera of plants from 77 fecal samples, showing that water deer in the Janghang wetlands mainly preferred Salicaceae (27.5%), Fabaceae (17.5%), and Poaceae (14.2%). In winter, the relative frequency of woody plant detection (81.3%) was much higher than that in other seasons. Our results suggest that Korean water deer in Janghang wetlands browse or graze depending on the locally-available plants species in their habitat as intermediate feeders. Non-invasive approaches using fecal samples could be applied to study food webs of various species and ecosystems for conservation and management of wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihee Kim
- Department of Biological Science , Ajou University , Suwon 16499 , Republic of Korea
| | - Sungbae Joo
- Division of Ecological Information , National Institute of Ecology , Seocheon 33657 , Republic of Korea
| | - Sangkyu Park
- Department of Biological Science , Ajou University , Suwon 16499 , Republic of Korea
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20
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Tercel MPTG, Symondson WOC, Cuff JP. The problem of omnivory: A synthesis on omnivory and DNA metabarcoding. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2199-2206. [PMID: 33772967 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Dietary analysis using DNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool that is increasingly being used to further our knowledge of trophic interactions in highly complex food webs but is not without limitations. Omnivores, the most generalist of consumers, pose unique challenges when using such methods. Here, we provide the rationale to understand the problems associated with analysing the complex diets of omnivores. By reviewing existing metabarcoding studies of omnivorous diet, and constructing hypothetical scenarios arising from each, we outline that great caution is required when interpreting sequencing data in such cases. In essence, the problems of accidental consumption and secondary ingestion are significant sources of error when investigating omnivorous diets. The integration of multiple high throughput sequencing markers increases the taxonomic breadth of taxa detected but we reveal how some detections may be misleading. Disentangling which taxa have been deliberately or accidentally consumed by the focal omnivore is challenging and can falsely emphasise those that were not intentionally consumed, obscuring biologically meaningful interactions. Although we suggest ways to disentangle these issues, we urge that the results of such analyses should be interpreted with caution and all possible scenarios for the presence of biota within omnivores given due consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximillian P T G Tercel
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.,Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey, Channel Islands
| | | | - Jordan P Cuff
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.,Rothamsted Insect Survey, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
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21
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Doi H, Minamoto T, Takahara T, Tsuji S, Uchii K, Yamamoto S, Katano I, Yamanaka H. Compilation of real‐time
PCR
conditions toward the standardization of
environmental DNA
methods. Ecol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Doi
- Graduate School of Simulation Studies University of Hyogo Kobe Japan
| | - Toshifumi Minamoto
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University Kobe Japan
| | - Teruhiko Takahara
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences Shimane University Matsue Japan
| | - Satsuki Tsuji
- Graduate School of Science and Technology for Innovation Yamaguchi University Ube Japan
| | - Kimiko Uchii
- Faculty of Pharmacy Osaka Ohtani University Tondabayashi Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamamoto
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Izumi Katano
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences Nara Women's University Nara Japan
| | - Hiroki Yamanaka
- Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology Ryukoku University Otsu Japan
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22
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Dufault MN, Olson ZH, Mellone DM, Flanders KR, Ono KA. Flatfish may be underestimated in the diet of gray seals ( Halichoerus grypus). CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The United States east coast population of the gray seal (Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius, 1791)) was once hunted to near extirpation, but the population has since rebounded due to protection by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Although this population growth is seen as a success by conservationists, others are concerned about the economic and ecological impact of gray seals on New England fisheries. The study objective was to quantify flatfish presence in the diet of gray seals using an analysis of prey DNA in seal scat (molecular scatology). This may reduce a potential bias in other diet analysis methods since flatfish may not be swallowed whole, and therefore, their identifying otoliths may not be present. Scats were collected from Muskeget and Monomoy islands off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and analyzed for flatfish presence using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and a hard parts analysis using otoliths. Frequency of occurrence for flatfish species from DNA was higher than estimated in previous literature on gray seal diet and a concurrent otolith analysis of the same samples, suggesting that previous analyses may have potentially underestimated the importance of flatfish in the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N. Dufault
- University of New England, School of Marine Programs, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
| | - Zachary H. Olson
- University of New England, Department of Psychology, Animal Behavior Program, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
| | - Dominique M. Mellone
- University of New England, School of Marine Programs, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
| | - Kelly R. Flanders
- University of New England, School of Marine Programs, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Ono
- University of New England, School of Marine Programs, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
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23
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Assessing the Use of Molecular Barcoding and qPCR for Investigating the Ecology of Prorocentrum minimum (Dinophyceae), a Harmful Algal Species. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030510. [PMID: 33670984 PMCID: PMC7997176 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prorocentrum minimum is a species of marine dinoflagellate that occurs worldwide and can be responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs). Some studies have reported it to produce tetrodotoxin; however, results have been inconsistent. qPCR and molecular barcoding (amplicon sequencing) using high-throughput sequencing have been increasingly applied to quantify HAB species for ecological analyses and monitoring. Here, we isolated a strain of P. minimum from eastern Australian waters, where it commonly occurs, and developed and validated a qPCR assay for this species based on a region of ITS rRNA in relation to abundance estimates from the cultured strain as determined using light microscopy. We used this tool to quantify and examine ecological drivers of P. minimum in Botany Bay, an estuary in southeast Australia, for over ~14 months in 2016–2017. We compared abundance estimates using qPCR with those obtained using molecular barcoding based on an 18S rRNA amplicon. There was a significant correlation between the abundance estimates from amplicon sequencing and qPCR, but the estimates from light microscopy were not significantly correlated, likely due to the counting method applied. Using amplicon sequencing, ~600 unique actual sequence variants (ASVs) were found, much larger than the known phytoplankton diversity from this region. P. minimum abundance in Botany Bay was found to be significantly associated with lower salinities and higher dissolved CO2 levels.
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24
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Michael PJ, Jones D, White N, Hane JK, Bunce M, Gibberd M. Crop-Zone Weed Mycobiomes of the South-Western Australian Grain Belt. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:581592. [PMID: 33324368 PMCID: PMC7721668 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.581592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the absence of a primary crop host, secondary plant hosts may act as a reservoir for fungal plant pathogens of agricultural crops. Secondary hosts may potentially harbor heteroecious biotrophs (e.g., the stripe rust fungus Puccinia striiformis) or other pathogens with broad host ranges. Agricultural grain production tends toward monoculture or a limited number of crop hosts over large regions, and local weeds are a major source of potential secondary hosts. In this study, the fungal phyllospheres of 12 weed species common in the agricultural regions of Western Australia (WA) were compared through high-throughput DNA sequencing. Amplicons of D2 and ITS were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq system using previously published primers and BLAST outputs analyzed using MEGAN. A heatmap of cumulative presence-absence for fungal taxa was generated, and variance patterns were investigated using principal components analysis (PCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). We observed the presence of several major international crop pathogens, including basidiomycete rusts of the Puccinia spp., and ascomycete phytopathogens of the Leptosphaeria and Pyrenophora genera. Unrelated to crop production, several endemic pathogen species including those infecting Eucalyptus trees were also observed, which was consistent with local native flora. We also observed that differences in latitude or climate zones appeared to influence the geographic distributions of plant pathogenic species more than the presence of compatible host species, with the exception of Brassicaceae host family. There was an increased proportion of necrotrophic Ascomycete species in warmer and drier regions of central WA, compared to an increased proportion of biotrophic Basidiomycete species in cooler and wetter regions in southern WA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pippa J. Michael
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Darcy Jones
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nicole White
- TRENDLab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - James K. Hane
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Michael Bunce
- TRENDLab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mark Gibberd
- Centre for Crop and Disease Management, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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25
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Wang G, Ma Y, Chenia HY, Govinden R, Luo J, Ren G. Biochar-Mediated Control of Phytophthora Blight of Pepper Is Closely Related to the Improvement of the Rhizosphere Fungal Community. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1427. [PMID: 32733402 PMCID: PMC7360685 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochar is a new eco-material with the potential to control soilborne diseases. This study explored the relationship between the rhizosphere fungal community and the suppression of Phytophthora blight of pepper in the context of time after biochar application. A pot experiment was conducted and rhizosphere soils were sampled to determine the biochar-induced soil chemical properties, fungal community composition, and abundance of biocontrol fungi. The biochar-enriched fungal strains were screened by the selective isolation method, and their control effects against Phytophthora blight of pepper were determined using a pot experiment. Biochar treatments effectively inhibited pathogen growth and controlled the disease, with biochar applied immediately before planting (BC0) having greater effects than that applied 20 days before planting (BC20). Compared to the control, biochar-amended rhizosphere soils had a higher pH, available nutrient content, and fungal richness and diversity. Moreover, biochar treatments significantly increased the abundance of potential biocontrol fungi. The proliferation in BC0 was stronger as compared to that in BC20. Several strains belonging to Aspergillus, Chaetomium, and Trichoderma, which were enriched by biochar amendment, demonstrated effective control of Phytophthora blight of pepper. Canonical correspondence and Pearson's correlation analysis showed that a high content of soil-available nutrients in biochar treatments was favorable to the proliferation of beneficial fungi, which was negatively correlated with both the abundance of Phytophthora capsici and disease severity. In conclusion, biochar-mediated improvement in the fungal community suppressed the Phytophthora blight of pepper. The biochar application time had a great impact on the control effect, possibly due to the short-term proliferative effect of the biochar on biocontrol fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangfei Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environments, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environments, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, China
| | - Hafizah Yousuf Chenia
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Roshini Govinden
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jia Luo
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environments, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, China
| | - Gaidi Ren
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environments, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, China
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Maniscalco JM, Springer AM, Counihan KL, Hollmen T, Aderman HM, Toyukak M. Contemporary diets of walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska suggest temporal variability in benthic community structure. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8735. [PMID: 32219025 PMCID: PMC7085891 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) are a conspicuous and important component of the Bristol Bay ecosystem and human social systems, but very little is known about walrus ecology in this region, principally their feeding ecology. The present work provides contemporary data on the diets of walruses at four haulout locations throughout Bristol Bay between 2014 and 2018. Methods We analyzed scat and gastrointestinal tract samples from these animals using quantitative polymerase chain reaction to amplify prey DNA, which allowed for diet estimates based on frequencies of prey item occurrence and on the relative importance of dietary items as determined from DNA threshold cycle scores. Results Diets were highly diverse at all locations, but with some variation in composition that may be related to the time of year that samples were collected (summer vs. autumn), or to spatial variability in the distribution of prey. Overall, polychaetes and tunicates had the highest frequencies of occurrence and relative abundances in 2014-15, but a major change in diet appears to have occurred by 2017-18. While some sample sizes were small, diets in these later years contrasted sharply, with a greater prevalence of sea cucumbers and mollusks, and reduced importance of decapods and fishes compared to the earlier years. Prey identified in scat samples from one collection site also contrasted sharply with those reported from the same location in 1981. The apparent temporal shifts in walrus prey may represent a changing benthic ecosystem due to warming waters in recent decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Maniscalco
- Science, Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK, United States of America
| | - Alan M Springer
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States of America
| | | | - Tuula Hollmen
- Science, Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK, United States of America.,College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States of America
| | - Helen M Aderman
- Qayassiq Walrus Commission, Dillingham, AK, United States of America
| | - Moses Toyukak
- Qayassiq Walrus Commission, Dillingham, AK, United States of America
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Silva AJ, Kawalek M, Williams-Hill DM, Hellberg RS. PCR Cloning Combined With DNA Barcoding Enables Partial Identification of Fish Species in a Mixed-Species Product. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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28
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A glance into the black box: Novel species-specific quantitative real-time PCR assays to disentangle aquatic hyphomycete community composition. FUNGAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Development and validation of rapid environmental DNA (eDNA) detection methods for bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222883. [PMID: 31725720 PMCID: PMC6855662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) for wildlife action plans in every state it occurs and multi-state efforts are underway to better characterize extant populations and prioritize restoration efforts. However, traditional sampling methods can be ineffective due to the turtle’s wetland habitat, small size, and burrowing nature. Molecular methods, such as qPCR, provide the ability to overcome this challenge by effectively quantifying minute amounts of turtle DNA left behind in its environment (eDNA). Developing such methods for bog turtles has proved difficult partly because of the high sequence similarity between bog turtles and closely-related, cohabitating species, most often wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta). Additionally, substrates containing bog turtle eDNA are often rich in organics or other substances that frequently inhibit both DNA extraction and qPCR amplification. Here, we describe the development and validation of a qPCR assay, BT3, targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene that correctly identifies bog turtles with 100% specificity and sensitivity when tested on 201 blood samples collected from six species over a wide geographic range. We also developed a full-process internal control employing a genetically modified strain of Caenorhabditis elegans to improve DNA extraction methods, limit false negative results due to qPCR inhibition, and measure total DNA recovery from each sample. Using the internal control, we found that DNA recovery varied by over an order of magnitude between samples and likely explains the lack of bog turtle detection in some cases. Methods presented herein are highly-specific and may offer a more cost effective, non-invasive tool to supplement bog turtle population assessments in the Eastern United States. Poor or differential DNA recovery, which remains unmeasured in the vast majority of eDNA studies, significantly reduced the ability to detect bog turtle in their natural environment.
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Assessment of seasonal variation of diet composition in rodents using DNA barcoding and Real-Time PCR. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14124. [PMID: 31575934 PMCID: PMC6773709 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50676-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of animal diet and feeding behaviour is a fundamental tool for the illustration of the ecological role of species in the ecosystem. However, size and quality of food intake samples make it hard for researchers to describe the diet composition of many small species. In our study, we exploited genomic tools for the analysis of the diet composition of the Savi’s pine vole (Microtus savii) using DNA barcoding and qPCR techniques for the identification of ingested plant species retrieved from stomach contents. In contrast with previous studies, we found that, despite being a fossorial species, the Savi’s pine vole is a selective feeder that undergoes intense superficial activity in search for food. In addition, our study shows that with a a priori knowledge of the candidate plant species included in animal diet, qPCR is a powerful tool to assess presence/absence, frequency of occurrence and electivity of ingested species. We conclude that this approach offers new opportunities to implement the analysis of food selection in small animals, thereby revealing a detailed picture of plant-animal interactions.
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31
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Barbato M, Kovacs T, Coleman MA, Broadhurst MK, de Bruyn M. Metabarcoding for stomach-content analyses of Pygmy devil ray ( Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee): Comparing tissue and ethanol preservative-derived DNA. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:2678-2687. [PMID: 30891208 PMCID: PMC6405894 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of high-throughput sequencing to retrieve multi-taxon DNA from different substrates such as water, soil, and stomach contents has enabled species identification without prior knowledge of taxon compositions. Here we used three minibarcodes designed to target mitochondrial COI in plankton, 16S in fish, and 16S in crustaceans, to compare ethanol- and tissue-derived DNA extraction methodologies for metabarcoding. The stomach contents of pygmy devilrays (Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee) were used to test whether ethanol-derived DNA would provide a suitable substrate for metabarcoding. The DNA barcoding assays indicated that tissue-derived operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were greater compared to those from extractions performed directly on the ethanol preservative. Tissue-derived DNA extraction is therefore recommended for broader taxonomic coverage. Metabarcoding applications should consider including the following: (i) multiple barcodes, both taxon specific (e.g., 12S or 16S) and more universal (e.g., COI or 18S) to overcome bias and taxon misidentification and (ii) PCR inhibitor removal steps that will likely enhance amplification yields. However, where tissue is limited or no longer available, but the ethanol-preservative medium is still available, metabarcoding directly from ethanol does recover the majority of common OTUs, suggesting the ethanol-retrieval method could be applicable for dietary studies. Metabarcoding directly from preservative ethanol may also be useful where tissue samples are limited or highly valued; bulk samples are collected, such as for rapid species inventories; or mixed-voucher sampling is conducted (e.g., for plankton, insects, and crustaceans).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Barbato
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Toby Kovacs
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Melinda A. Coleman
- National Marine Science CentreNSW Department of Primary IndustriesCoffs HarbourNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Matt K. Broadhurst
- Fisheries Conservation Technology UnitNSW Department of Primary Industries, National Marine Science CentreCoffs HarbourNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Mark de Bruyn
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Maqsood I, Bukhari SM, Ejaz R, Kausar S, Abbas MN, Ali B, Ke R. Biostatistical Options for Quantitative Diet Analysis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:5-12. [PMID: 30520629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sufficient statistics knowledge is crucial for the correct design of a research plan. The elucidations of results are interpretive only if appropriate statistical methods are applied. Statistical strategies are a particular approach to demonstrate complicated information in broad and explicable conclusions. The emergence of biostatistical approaches for diet evaluation has improved the accuracy of diet estimation, and different methodologies of data integration promise to magnify our understanding of ecological communities. The present study aimed to compile multiple statistical methods used for diet analysis. More specifically, the significant analysis used in diet assessment, central expectations, and preferences related to each measure was conceptualized. In addition, the ability of each test to evaluate diversity, richness, differentiation, fluctuation, similarity, and quantification of multiple diet items was summarized. Moreover, different options were proposed for researchers to select the appropriate statistical tests. This study covers a framework, aim, and understanding of the statistical test methods of diet analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iram Maqsood
- College of Wildlife Resources , Northeast Forestry University , Hexing Road 59 Street , Xiang Fang District, Harbin City 150040 , China
- Department of Zoology , Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar , Peshawar 25000 , Pakistan
| | - Syed Moshin Bukhari
- College of Wildlife and Ecology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore 54500 , Pakistan
| | - Rabea Ejaz
- Department of Zoology , Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar , Peshawar 25000 , Pakistan
| | - Saima Kausar
- College of Life Sciences . Anhui Agricultural University , Hefei 230036 , China
| | | | - Bahar Ali
- College of Plant Sciences and Technology, Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory , Huazhong Agriculture University , Wuhan , Hubei 430070 , China
| | - Rong Ke
- College of Wildlife Resources , Northeast Forestry University , Hexing Road 59 Street , Xiang Fang District, Harbin City 150040 , China
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Siegenthaler A, Wangensteen OS, Benvenuto C, Campos J, Mariani S. DNA metabarcoding unveils multiscale trophic variation in a widespread coastal opportunist. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:232-249. [PMID: 30276912 PMCID: PMC7380037 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A thorough understanding of ecological networks relies on comprehensive information on trophic relationships among species. Since unpicking the diet of many organisms is unattainable using traditional morphology-based approaches, the application of high-throughput sequencing methods represents a rapid and powerful way forward. Here, we assessed the application of DNA metabarcoding with nearly universal primers for the mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase I in defining the trophic ecology of adult brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, in six European estuaries. The exact trophic role of this abundant and widespread coastal benthic species is somewhat controversial, while information on geographical variation remains scant. Results revealed a highly opportunistic behaviour. Shrimp stomach contents contained hundreds of taxa (>1,000 molecular operational taxonomic units), of which 291 were identified as distinct species, belonging to 35 phyla. Only twenty ascertained species had a mean relative abundance of more than 0.5%. Predominant species included other abundant coastal and estuarine taxa, including the shore crab Carcinus maenas and the amphipod Corophium volutator. Jacobs' selectivity index estimates based on DNA extracted from both shrimp stomachs and sediment samples were used to assess the shrimp's trophic niche indicating a generalist diet, dominated by crustaceans, polychaetes and fish. Spatial variation in diet composition, at regional and local scales, confirmed the highly flexible nature of this trophic opportunist. Furthermore, the detection of a prevalent, possibly endoparasitic fungus (Purpureocillium lilacinum) in the shrimp's stomach demonstrates the wide range of questions that can be addressed using metabarcoding, towards a more robust reconstruction of ecological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjin Siegenthaler
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
- Present address:
Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphCanada
| | - Owen S. Wangensteen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
- Present address:
Norwegian College of Fishery ScienceUiT the Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
| | - Joana Campos
- CIIMARInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental ResearchUniversity of PortoMatosinhosPortugal
| | - Stefano Mariani
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
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Riccioni G, Stagioni M, Piccinetti C, Libralato S. A metabarcoding approach for the feeding habits of European hake in the Adriatic Sea. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:10435-10447. [PMID: 30464816 PMCID: PMC6238138 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
European hake (Merluccius merluccius) is one of the most economically important fish for the Mediterranean Sea. It is an important predator of deep upper shelf slope communities currently characterized by growth overexploitation: the understanding of hake's diet might support next generation management tools. However, all current European hake diet studies depend on the morphological identification of prey remains in stomach content, with consequent limitations. In this study, we set up a metabarcoding approach based on cytochrome oxidase I PCR amplification and Miseq Illumina paired-end sequencing of M. merluccius stomach content remains and compared the results to classic morphological analyses. A total of 95 stomach contents of M. merluccius sampled in the North-Central Adriatic Sea were analyzed with both the metabarcoding and morphological approaches. Metabarcoding clearly outperformed the morphological method in the taxonomic identification of prey describing more complex trophic relationships even when considering the morphological identification of 200 stomach contents. Statistical analysis of diet composition revealed a weak differentiation among the hake's size classes, confirming an opportunistic feeding behavior. All the analyses performed showed the presence of a core of shared prey among the size classes and a cloud of size-specific prey. Our study highlights the exceptional potential of metabarcoding as an approach to provide unprecedented taxonomic resolution in the diet of M. merluccius and potentially of other marine predators, due to the broad-spectrum of detection of the primers used. A thorough description of these complex trophic relationships is fundamental for the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Riccioni
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Marco Stagioni
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Corrado Piccinetti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Simone Libralato
- Chapter of OceanographyEcho GroupNational Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics – OGSTriesteItaly
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Ando H, Fujii C, Kawanabe M, Ao Y, Inoue T, Takenaka A. Evaluation of plant contamination in metabarcoding diet analysis of a herbivore. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15563. [PMID: 30349088 PMCID: PMC6197254 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32845-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecal DNA metabarcoding is currently used in various fields of ecology to determine animal diets. Contamination of non-food DNA from complex field environments is a considerable challenge to the reliability of this method but has rarely been quantified. We evaluated plant DNA contamination by sequencing the chloroplast trnL P6 loop region from food-controlled geese feces. The average percentage of contaminant sequences per sample was 1.86%. According to the results of generalized linear models, the probability of contamination was highest in samples placed in wet soil. The proportion of contaminant sequences was lowest at the earliest sampling point and was slightly higher in samples placed in open conditions. Exclusion of rare OTUs (operational taxonomic units) was effective for obtaining reliable dietary data from the obtained sequences, and a 1% cutoff reduced the percentage of contaminated samples to less than 30%. However, appropriate interpretation of the barcoding results considering inevitable contamination is an important issue to address. We suggest the following procedures for fecal sampling and sequence data treatment to increase the reliability of DNA metabarcoding diet analyses: (i) Collect samples as soon as possible after deposition, (ii) avoid samples from deposits on wet soil, and (iii) exclude rare OTUs from diet composition estimations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruko Ando
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Chieko Fujii
- Tama Zoological Park, 7-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino-shi, Tokyo, 191-0042, Japan
| | - Masataka Kawanabe
- Tama Zoological Park, 7-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino-shi, Tokyo, 191-0042, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Ao
- Tama Zoological Park, 7-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino-shi, Tokyo, 191-0042, Japan
| | - Tomomi Inoue
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Akio Takenaka
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
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Fernandes K, van der Heyde M, Bunce M, Dixon K, Harris RJ, Wardell-Johnson G, Nevill PG. DNA metabarcoding-a new approach to fauna monitoring in mine site restoration. Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Fernandes
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
| | - Mieke van der Heyde
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
| | - Michael Bunce
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
| | - Kingsley Dixon
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
| | - Richard J. Harris
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
| | - Grant Wardell-Johnson
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
| | - Paul G. Nevill
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences; Curtin University; GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6102 Australia
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Xavier JC, Cherel Y, Medeiros R, Velez N, Dewar M, Ratcliffe N, Carreiro AR, Trathan PN. Conventional and molecular analysis of the diet of gentoo penguins: contributions to assess scats for non-invasive penguin diet monitoring. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Søe MJ, Nejsum P, Seersholm FV, Fredensborg BL, Habraken R, Haase K, Hald MM, Simonsen R, Højlund F, Blanke L, Merkyte I, Willerslev E, Kapel CMO. Ancient DNA from latrines in Northern Europe and the Middle East (500 BC-1700 AD) reveals past parasites and diet. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195481. [PMID: 29694397 PMCID: PMC5918799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-resolution insight into parasitic infections and diet of past populations in Northern Europe and the Middle East (500 BC- 1700 AD) was obtained by pre-concentration of parasite eggs from ancient latrines and deposits followed by shotgun sequencing of DNA. Complementary profiling of parasite, vertebrate and plant DNA proved highly informative in the study of ancient health, human-animal interactions as well as animal and plant dietary components. Most prominent were finding of soil-borne parasites transmitted directly between humans, but also meat-borne parasites that require consumption of raw or undercooked fish and pork. The detection of parasites for which sheep, horse, dog, pig, and rodents serves as definitive hosts are clear markers of domestic and synanthropic animals living in closer proximity of the respective sites. Finally, the reconstruction of full mitochondrial parasite genomes from whipworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and roundworm species (Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris muris) and estimates of haplotype frequencies elucidates the genetic diversity and provides insights into epidemiology and parasite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Jensen Søe
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
- * E-mail: (MJS); (CMOK)
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Frederik Valeur Seersholm
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Brian Lund Fredensborg
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ruben Habraken
- BioArchaeological Research Bureau, Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - Kirstine Haase
- Odense Bys Museer, Odense, Denmark
- Centre for Urban Network Evolutions, School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Højbjerg, Denmark
| | - Mette Marie Hald
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Louise Blanke
- Department of Archaeology, School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Inga Merkyte
- The Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen S, Denmark
| | - Eske Willerslev
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Moliin Outzen Kapel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- * E-mail: (MJS); (CMOK)
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Bonato KO, Silva PC, Malabarba LR. Unrevealing Parasitic Trophic Interactions—A Molecular Approach for Fluid-Feeding Fishes. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Turpin JM, White NE, Dunlop JA, Bamford MJ. New populations of the black-flanked rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) from the Little Sandy Desert and Murchison, Western Australia. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/am14043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During two independent fauna surveys, rock-wallaby (Petrogale) scats were recorded from caves located outside the current known Petrogale distribution. Scats collected from Desert Queen Baths (Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia, 2012), and the Barr Smith Range (Murchison, Western Australia, 2015) were genetically analysed and a follow-up motion camera survey confirmed an extant rock-wallaby population at Desert Queen Baths. The combination of sampling techniques overcame the detection difficulties associated with rare and cryptic taxa, and together were important in establishing the presence of Petrogale lateralis from regions where the species has been poorly documented. At both locations, P. lateralis scats were recorded from deep caves situated close to permanent water, reflecting the species’ physiological constraints in the arid zone. These records represent significant range extensions of a highly threatened macropod.
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Nelson EJH, Holden J, Eves R, Tufts B. Comparison of diets for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in Eastern Lake Ontario using DNA barcoding and stable isotope analysis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181914. [PMID: 28771612 PMCID: PMC5542617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Largemouth (LMB: Micropterus salmoides) and Smallmouth Bass (SMB: Micropterus dolomieu) are important species in the recreational fisheries of the Laurentian Great Lakes. The invasion of the Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) into these lakes has changed several facets of black bass biology, but there is still much to learn about the relationship between these species. Previous dietary analyses have shown Round Goby to be important prey for bass, but have been limited by low visual identification rates of dissected stomach items. Within the present study, DNA barcoding and stable isotope analysis improve prey identification and provide a more quantitative dietary analysis of adult black bass in Lake Ontario, comparing the importance of Round Goby as prey between these two species. Eighty-four LMB (406mm fork length ±4mm SEM) and two hundred sixty-four SMB (422mm ±2mm) obtained as tournament mortalities had prey identified using DNA-based methods. Round Goby was the most prevalent prey species for both predators. The diet of LMB was three times more diverse than that of SMB, which almost entirely consists of Round Goby. Our results provide further support that recent increases in the size of Lake Ontario bass are a result of Round Goby consumption, and that the effects of this dietary shift on body condition are greater for SMB. Techniques developed in this study include reverse-oriented dual priming oligonucleotides used as blocking primers for predator DNA, and an automated design approach of restriction fragment length polymorphism tests for identifying prey DNA barcodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich J. H. Nelson
- Freshwater Fisheries Conservation Lab, Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeremy Holden
- Lake Ontario Management Unit, Glenora Fisheries Station, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Picton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Eves
- Protein Function Discovery Lab, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bruce Tufts
- Freshwater Fisheries Conservation Lab, Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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42
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Berry TE, Osterrieder SK, Murray DC, Coghlan ML, Richardson AJ, Grealy AK, Stat M, Bejder L, Bunce M. DNA metabarcoding for diet analysis and biodiversity: A case study using the endangered Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea). Ecol Evol 2017; 7:5435-5453. [PMID: 28770080 PMCID: PMC5528208 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of apex predator diet has the ability to deliver valuable insights into ecosystem health, and the potential impacts a predator might have on commercially relevant species. The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is an endemic apex predator and one of the world's most endangered pinnipeds. Given that prey availability is vital to the survival of top predators, this study set out to understand what dietary information DNA metabarcoding could yield from 36 sea lion scats collected across 1,500 km of its distribution in southwest Western Australia. A combination of PCR assays were designed to target a variety of potential sea lion prey, including mammals, fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and birds. Over 1.2 million metabarcodes identified six classes from three phyla, together representing over 80 taxa. The results confirm that the Australian sea lion is a wide-ranging opportunistic predator that consumes an array of mainly demersal fauna. Further, the important commercial species Sepioteuthis australis (southern calamari squid) and Panulirus cygnus (western rock lobster) were detected, but were present in <25% of samples. Some of the taxa identified, such as fish, sharks and rays, clarify previous knowledge of sea lion prey, and some, such as eel taxa and two gastropod species, represent new dietary insights. Even with modest sample sizes, a spatial analysis of taxa and operational taxonomic units found within the scat shows significant differences in diet between many of the sample locations and identifies the primary taxa that are driving this variance. This study provides new insights into the diet of this endangered predator and confirms the efficacy of DNA metabarcoding of scat as a noninvasive tool to more broadly define regional biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina E. Berry
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) LaboratoryDepartment of Environment and AgricultureCurtin UniversityBentleyWAAustralia
| | | | - Dáithí C. Murray
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) LaboratoryDepartment of Environment and AgricultureCurtin UniversityBentleyWAAustralia
| | - Megan L. Coghlan
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) LaboratoryDepartment of Environment and AgricultureCurtin UniversityBentleyWAAustralia
| | | | - Alicia K. Grealy
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) LaboratoryDepartment of Environment and AgricultureCurtin UniversityBentleyWAAustralia
| | - Michael Stat
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) LaboratoryDepartment of Environment and AgricultureCurtin UniversityBentleyWAAustralia
| | - Lars Bejder
- Cetacean Research UnitMurdoch UniversityMurdochWAAustralia
| | - Michael Bunce
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) LaboratoryDepartment of Environment and AgricultureCurtin UniversityBentleyWAAustralia
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43
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Erickson DL, Reed E, Ramachandran P, Bourg NA, McShea WJ, Ottesen A. Reconstructing a herbivore's diet using a novel rbcL DNA mini-barcode for plants. AOB PLANTS 2017; 9:plx015. [PMID: 28533898 PMCID: PMC5434754 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plx015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Next Generation Sequencing and the application of metagenomic analyses can be used to answer questions about animal diet choice and study the consequences of selective foraging by herbivores. The quantification of herbivore diet choice with respect to native versus exotic plant species is particularly relevant given concerns of invasive species establishment and their effects on ecosystems. While increased abundance of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) appears to correlate with increased incidence of invasive plant species, data supporting a causal link is scarce. We used a metabarcoding approach (PCR amplicons of the plant rbcL gene) to survey the diet of white-tailed deer (fecal samples), from a forested site in Warren County, Virginia with a comprehensive plant species inventory and corresponding reference collection of plant barcode and chloroplast sequences. We sampled fecal pellet piles and extracted DNA from 12 individual deer in October 2014. These samples were compared to a reference DNA library of plant species collected within the study area. For 72 % of the amplicons, we were able to assign taxonomy at the species level, which provides for the first time-sufficient taxonomic resolution to quantify the relative frequency at which native and exotic plant species are being consumed by white-tailed deer. For each of the 12 individual deer we collected three subsamples from the same fecal sample, resulting in sequencing 36 total samples. Using Qiime, we quantified the plant DNA found in all 36 samples, and found that variance within samples was less than variance between samples (F = 1.73, P = 0.004), indicating additional subsamples may not be necessary. Species level diversity ranged from 60 to 93 OTUs per individual and nearly 70 % of all plant sequences recovered were from native plant species. The number of species detected did reduce significantly (range 4-12) when we excluded species whose OTU composed <1 % of each sample's total. When compared to the abundance of native and non-natives plants inventoried in the local community, our results support the observation that white-tailed deer have strong foraging preferences, but these preferences were not consistent for species in either class. Deer forage behaviour may favour some exotic species, but not all.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Erickson
- Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch, Division of Microbiology, Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, ML 20740, USA
| | - Elizabeth Reed
- Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch, Division of Microbiology, Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, ML 20740, USA
| | - Padmini Ramachandran
- Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch, Division of Microbiology, Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, ML 20740, USA
| | - Norman A. Bourg
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Research Program - Eastern Branch, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 430, Reston, VA 20192, USA
| | - William J. McShea
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Andrea Ottesen
- Molecular Methods and Subtyping Branch, Division of Microbiology, Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, ML 20740, USA
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44
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Clarke LJ, Beard JM, Swadling KM, Deagle BE. Effect of marker choice and thermal cycling protocol on zooplankton DNA metabarcoding studies. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:873-883. [PMID: 28168024 PMCID: PMC5288259 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding is a promising approach for rapidly surveying biodiversity and is likely to become an important tool for measuring ecosystem responses to environmental change. Metabarcoding markers need sufficient taxonomic coverage to detect groups of interest, sufficient sequence divergence to resolve species, and will ideally indicate relative abundance of taxa present. We characterized zooplankton assemblages with three different metabarcoding markers (nuclear 18S rDNA, mitochondrial COI, and mitochondrial 16S rDNA) to compare their performance in terms of taxonomic coverage, taxonomic resolution, and correspondence between morphology‐ and DNA‐based identification. COI amplicons sequenced on separate runs showed that operational taxonomic units representing >0.1% of reads per sample were highly reproducible, although slightly more taxa were detected using a lower annealing temperature. Mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S showed similar taxonomic coverage across zooplankton phyla. However, mitochondrial COI resolved up to threefold more taxa to species compared to 18S. All markers revealed similar patterns of beta‐diversity, although different taxa were identified as the greatest contributors to these patterns for 18S. For calanoid copepod families, all markers displayed a positive relationship between biomass and sequence reads, although the relationship was typically strongest for 18S. The use of COI for metabarcoding has been questioned due to lack of conserved primer‐binding sites. However, our results show the taxonomic coverage and resolution provided by degenerate COI primers, combined with a comparatively well‐developed reference sequence database, make them valuable metabarcoding markers for biodiversity assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence J Clarke
- Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre University of Tasmania Hobart Tas. Australia; Australian Antarctic Division Kingston Tas. Australia
| | - Jason M Beard
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Hobart Tas. Australia
| | - Kerrie M Swadling
- Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre University of Tasmania Hobart Tas. Australia; Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Hobart Tas. Australia
| | - Bruce E Deagle
- Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre University of Tasmania Hobart Tas. Australia; Australian Antarctic Division Kingston Tas. Australia
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45
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Kamenova S, Bartley T, Bohan D, Boutain J, Colautti R, Domaizon I, Fontaine C, Lemainque A, Le Viol I, Mollot G, Perga ME, Ravigné V, Massol F. Invasions Toolkit. ADV ECOL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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46
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McInnes JC, Alderman R, Deagle BE, Lea M, Raymond B, Jarman SN. Optimised scat collection protocols for dietary
DNA
metabarcoding in vertebrates. Methods Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie C. McInnes
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Private Bag 129 Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway Kingston TAS 7050 Australia
| | - Rachael Alderman
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment 134 Macquarie Street Hobart TAS 7000 Australia
| | - Bruce E. Deagle
- Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway Kingston TAS 7050 Australia
| | - Mary‐Anne Lea
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Private Bag 129 Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Ben Raymond
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Private Bag 129 Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway Kingston TAS 7050 Australia
| | - Simon N. Jarman
- Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway Kingston TAS 7050 Australia
- CIBIO‐InBIO Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos Universidade do Porto Vairão 4485‐661 Portugal
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47
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Krehenwinkel H, Kennedy S, Pekár S, Gillespie RG. A cost‐efficient and simple protocol to enrich prey
DNA
from extractions of predatory arthropods for large‐scale gut content analysis by Illumina sequencing. Methods Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Krehenwinkel
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall #3114 Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | - Susan Kennedy
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall #3114 Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | - Stano Pekár
- Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Kotlářská 2 Brno 61137 Czech Republic
| | - Rosemary G. Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management University of California Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall #3114 Berkeley CA 94720 USA
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48
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Hansen TA, Mollerup S, Nguyen NP, White NE, Coghlan M, Alquezar-Planas DE, Joshi T, Jensen RH, Fridholm H, Kjartansdóttir KR, Mourier T, Warnow T, Belsham GJ, Bunce M, Willerslev E, Nielsen LP, Vinner L, Hansen AJ. High diversity of picornaviruses in rats from different continents revealed by deep sequencing. Emerg Microbes Infect 2016; 5:e90. [PMID: 27530749 PMCID: PMC5034103 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2016.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in humans and livestock are not uncommon, and an important component in containment of such emerging viral diseases is rapid and reliable diagnostics. Such methods are often PCR-based and hence require the availability of sequence data from the pathogen. Rattus norvegicus (R. norvegicus) is a known reservoir for important zoonotic pathogens. Transmission may be direct via contact with the animal, for example, through exposure to its faecal matter, or indirectly mediated by arthropod vectors. Here we investigated the viral content in rat faecal matter (n=29) collected from two continents by analyzing 2.2 billion next-generation sequencing reads derived from both DNA and RNA. Among other virus families, we found sequences from members of the Picornaviridae to be abundant in the microbiome of all the samples. Here we describe the diversity of the picornavirus-like contigs including near-full-length genomes closely related to the Boone cardiovirus and Theiler's encephalomyelitis virus. From this study, we conclude that picornaviruses within R. norvegicus are more diverse than previously recognized. The virome of R. norvegicus should be investigated further to assess the full potential for zoonotic virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Arn Hansen
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah Mollerup
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nam-Phuong Nguyen
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801-2302, USA
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA Lab and Australian Wildlife Forensic Services, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Megan Coghlan
- Trace and Environmental DNA Lab and Australian Wildlife Forensic Services, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - David E Alquezar-Planas
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tejal Joshi
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Randi Holm Jensen
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helena Fridholm
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Virus Research and Development, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristín Rós Kjartansdóttir
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tobias Mourier
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tandy Warnow
- Departments of Bioengineering and Computer Science, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801-2302, USA
| | - Graham J Belsham
- National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lindholm, DK-4771 Kalvehave, Denmark
| | - Michael Bunce
- Trace and Environmental DNA Lab and Australian Wildlife Forensic Services, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Eske Willerslev
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Peter Nielsen
- Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Vinner
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Johannes Hansen
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
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49
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Abstract
AbstractFeeding ecology explains predator’s preference to some preys over others in their habitat and their competitions thereof. The subject, as a functional and applied biology, is highly neglected, and in case of fish, a uniform and consistent methodology is absent. The currently practiced methods are largely centred on mathematical indices and highly erroneous because of non-uniform outcomes. Therefore, it requires a relook into the subject to elucidate functional contributions and to make it more comparable and comprehensive science. In this article, approachable methodological strategies have been forwarded in three hierarchical steps, namely, food occurrence, feeding biology and interpretative ecology. All these steps involve wide ranges of techniques, within the scope of ecology but not limited to, and traverse from narrative to functional evolutionary ecology. The first step is an assumption-observation practice to assess food of fish, followed by feeding biology that links morphological, histological, cytological, bacteriological or enzymological correlations to preferred food in the environment. Interpretative ecology is the higher level of analysis in which the outcomes are tested and discussed against evolutionary theories. A description of possible pedagogics on the methods of feeding ecological studies has also been forwarded.
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50
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Roslin T, Majaneva S. The use of DNA barcodes in food web construction-terrestrial and aquatic ecologists unite! Genome 2016; 59:603-28. [PMID: 27484156 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2015-0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
By depicting who eats whom, food webs offer descriptions of how groupings in nature (typically species or populations) are linked to each other. For asking questions on how food webs are built and work, we need descriptions of food webs at different levels of resolution. DNA techniques provide opportunities for highly resolved webs. In this paper, we offer an exposé of how DNA-based techniques, and DNA barcodes in particular, have recently been used to construct food web structure in both terrestrial and aquatic systems. We highlight how such techniques can be applied to simultaneously improve the taxonomic resolution of the nodes of the web (i.e., the species), and the links between them (i.e., who eats whom). We end by proposing how DNA barcodes and DNA information may allow new approaches to the construction of larger interaction webs, and overcome some hurdles to achieving adequate sample size. Most importantly, we propose that the joint adoption and development of these techniques may serve to unite approaches to food web studies in aquatic and terrestrial systems-revealing the extent to which food webs in these environments are structured similarly to or differently from each other, and how they are linked by dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Roslin
- a Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.,b Spatial Foodweb Ecology Group, Department of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 27, (Latokartanonkaari 5), FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Majaneva
- c Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems (EEMiS), Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
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