scholarly journals Identification of Lagopus muta japonica plant food resources in the Northern Japan Alps using DNA metabarcoding

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taichi Fujii ◽  
Kaoru Ueno ◽  
Tomoyasu Shirako ◽  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Motoyasu Minami
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Rarefaction Analysis ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding ◽  
Collection Period ◽  
Lagopus Muta

DNA metabarcoding was employed to identify plant-derived food resources of the Japanese rock ptarmigan ( Lagopus muta japonica ), registered as a natural living monument in Japan, in the Northern Japanese Alps in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, in July to October, 2015-2018. By combined use of rbcL and ITS2 local databases of 74 alpine plant species found in the study area, a total of 43 plant taxa were identified and could be assigned to 40 species (93.0%), two genera (4.7%), and one family (2.3%). Rarefaction analysis of each sample collection period showed that this study covered more than 90% of the plant food resources found in the study area. Of the 21 plant families identified using the combined rbcL and ITS2 local databases, the most dominant families were Ericaceae (98.1% of 105 fecal samples), followed by Rosaceae (42.9%), Apiaceae (35.2%), and Poaceae (19.0%). In all fecal samples examined, the most frequently encountered plant species were Vaccinium ovalifolium var. ovalifolium (69.5%), followed by Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum (68.6%), Vaccinium sp. (54.3%), Kalmia procumbens (42.9%), and Tilingia ajanensis (34.3%). Rarefaction analysis of each collection period in the study revealed that this study covered more than 90% (from 91.0% in July to 97.5% in September) of the plant food resources found in the study area, and 98.1% of the plant food taxa were covered throughout the entire study period. Thus, DNA metabarcoding using the rbcL and ITS2 local databases of alpine plants in combination and rarefaction analysis are considered to be well suited for estimating the dominant food plants in the diet of Japanese rock ptarmigans. Further, the local database constructed in this study can be used to survey other areas with similar flora.

scholarly journals Plant food resources exploited by Blue-and-Yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna, Linnaeus 1758) at an urban area in Central Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
AA. Santos ◽  
J. Ragusa-Netto
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Feeding Niche

In this study, we described the food plants available to Blue-and-Yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna), its feeding habits and the relationship between these parameters with feeding niche breadth. We established four transects, each one 12 km long, to sample fruiting plants and the feeding habits of this macaw (monthly 40 h, of observations), at the urban areas of Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). During all studied months, macaws foraged for palm fruits, mainly Syagrus oleracea and Acrocomia aculeata fruit pulp, both available all year, as well as Caryocar brasiliense and Anacardium occidentale seeds, in the wet season. The year-round feeding activity of macaws suggests Três Lagoas city as an adequate feeding area. The permanent availability of plant food resources, potentially, resulted from the diverse fruiting patterns of exotic and, mainly, native plant species, which provided a variety of suitable fruit patches.

scholarly journals Evaluating the efficacy of sample collection approaches and DNA metabarcoding for identifying the diversity of plants utilized by nectivorous bats

Genome ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Edwards ◽  
Joel F. Swift ◽  
Richard F. Lance ◽  
Thomas A. Minckley ◽  
Denise L. Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Visual Identification ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding ◽  
By Catch ◽  
Main Food Source

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of sample collection approaches and DNA metabarcoding to identify plants utilized by nectivorous bats. Samples included guano collected from beneath bat roosts and pollen-swabs from bat fur, both of which were subjected to DNA metabarcoding and visual identification of pollen (microscopy) to measure plant diversity. Our objectives were to determine whether DNA metabarcoding could detect likely food plants of nectivorous bats, whether sample types would produce different estimates of plant diversity, and to compare results of DNA metabarcoding to visual identification. Visual identification found that 99% of pollen was from Agave, which is thought to be the bats’ main food source. The dominant taxon found by metabarcoding was also Agavoideae, but a broader diversity of plant species was also detected, many of which are likely “by-catch” from the broader environment. Metabarcoding outcomes differed between sample types, likely because pollen-swabs measured the plant species visited by bats and guano samples measured all items consumed in the bat’s diet, even those that were not pollen or nectar. Overall, metabarcoding is a powerful, high-throughput tool to understand bat ecology and species interactions, but careful analysis of results is necessary to derive accurate ecological conclusions.

scholarly journals Nutrtional profile of some selected food plants of Otwal and Ngai sub counties Oyam district, northern Uganda

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (57) ◽  
pp. 7428-7451
Author(s):  
A Acipa ◽  
◽  
M Kamatenesi-Mugisha ◽  
H Oryem-Origa
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Food Plant ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Wild Food ◽  
Wild Food Plants ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
General Decline

Wild food plants play an important role in the diet of inhabitants of Oyam District. Some of these plants are drought -resistant and gathered throughout the year . These wild foods are an important source of nutrients. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data re garding the nutrient content s of these indigenous plants. The purpose of this study was to document and assess the nutrient and mineral content s of the selected food plants. Ethnobotanical surveys were used to collect data through formal and informal inter views and focused group discussions. Voucher specimens were collected during field excursions and taken to Makerere Herbarium for proper identification . Nutrients and mineral analyses of wild and cultivated fruits, seeds, underground organs and vegetables from Ngai and Otwal sub counties were carried out using known procedures. They were analysed for mineral nutrients such as calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus concentrations. Additionally nutrients such proteins, beta carotene, vitamin C and dietary fibre were determined . On average, vegetables were found to be richer in organic nutrients and minerals followed by fruits and seeds in that order . Generally the wild food plant species were found to be richer sources of mineral nutrient than their cultivated relatives. F or example , the highest concentration of calcium 867.59 mg/100g was found in Acalypha bipartita leaves compared to 294.18 mg/100g in Cleome gynandra . Plant species that showed high iron contents [>30% ] were leaves of swamp hibiscus , African spider flowers , fruits of Tamarind , Black night shade and Jews mallow . It was also noted that among the food plant species analysed, fruits were low in nutrients and mineral elements. Some of these food plants were also considered to have medicinal properties by the locals such as African spider flower, Rattle pod among others. However, it should be noted that there is a general decline in the consumption of wild plants , despite the apparent high nutritional values . T he conservation of wild food plants is not taking place among the communities in the study area, thus the poor rural communities who are limited on balancing their diet could be faced with diseases associated with nutrient deficiencies .

scholarly journals A comparison of nutritional value of native and alien food plants for a critically endangered island flying-fox

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250857
Author(s):  
Laura A. Pulscher ◽  
Ellen S. Dierenfeld ◽  
Justin A. Welbergen ◽  
Karrie A. Rose ◽  
David N. Phalen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Nutritional Content ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Flying Fox

Habitat loss and alteration are two of the biggest threats facing insular flying-foxes. Altered habitats are often re-vegetated with introduced or domestic plant species on which flying-foxes may forage. However, these alien food plants may not meet the nutritional requirements of flying-foxes. The critically endangered Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF; Pteropus natalis) is subject to habitat alteration and the introduction of alien food plants, and therefore is a good model species to evaluate the potential impact of alien plant species on insular flying-foxes. In this study, we evaluated nutritional content of native food plants to determine how flying-foxes historically met their nutritional requirements. Furthermore, we compared the nutritional content of native and alien fruits to predict possible impacts of alien plants on insular flying-foxes. Native and alien fruits and flowers, and native foliage (leaves, petals, and petioles) commonly consumed by the CIFF were collected and evaluated for soluble sugars, crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrates, and nine minerals. Evaluation of native food plants suggests that flying-foxes meet energy requirements by consuming fruit and nectar. However, fruit and nectar are low in protein and essential minerals required for demanding life periods; therefore, flying-foxes likely supplement their diets with pollen and foliage. Thus, flying-foxes require a diverse array of plants to meet their nutritional requirements. Compared to native fruits, alien fruits contained significantly higher non-fiber carbohydrates, and this may provide an important energy source, particularly from species that bear fruit year-round. Median mineral concentrations in alien fruit species, however, were deficient compared to native fruits, suggesting major (or even seasonal) shifts in the proportion of alien species in the CIFF diet could lead to nutritional imbalances. This study confirms the need to quantify nutritional parameters in addition to feeding ecology when evaluating habitat quality to inform conservation actions that can be applied both locally and globally.

scholarly journals Biological contamination of soils in urbanized ecosystems by Toxocara sp. eggs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 169 ◽  
pp. 04002
Author(s):  
Olga Maslennikova ◽  
Viktoriya Erofeeva
Keyword(s):  
Average Rate ◽  
50Th Anniversary ◽  
Entire Study Period ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Biological Contamination ◽  
Dog Walking ◽  
Special Area ◽  
Contamination Of Soils ◽  
Study Sites

As a result of the study of three sites (two city parks and a special area for walking dogs) on the contamination of Toxocara sp. eggs it was found that 28.0±2.3% of the studied fecal samples from the territories of the Kirov Park were infected with Тохосаrа eggs, 21.0±3.6% of fecal samples from the territory of the Park of the 50th anniversary of the Komsomol and 7.0±0.4% of fecal samples were infected with Тохосаrа eggs selected at a specially equipped dog walking area in the Metrograd residential complex in Kirov. The average rate of dogs which were infected by Toxocara (EI) was 18.7±6.2%. The average rate of contamination of soil by eggs Тохосаrа in the study sites amounted to 34.6%. Contamination of soil samples with eggs of Toxocara sp. in parks was 45.6% and 45.8%, respectively, and in the dog walking area it was 12%. The largest number of dogs, including stray ones, were registered in the parks: 74.8±7.1 and 62.8±7.0 individuals, respectively. There were no stray individuals in the dog walking area, and there were 21.6±1.0 individuals over the entire study period.

Variations in grizzly bear habitat selection in relation to the daily and seasonal availability of annual plant-food resources

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 101116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J.R. McClelland ◽  
Nicholas C. Coops ◽  
Sean P. Kearney ◽  
A. Cole Burton ◽  
Scott E. Nielsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Grizzly Bear ◽  
Annual Plant ◽  
Plant Food

Phytotoxicity, Poison Retention, Palatability, and Acceptance of Carriers Used in Compound-1080-Foliage Baits for Control of Feral Goats.

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 687 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Parkes
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Carbopol Gel ◽  
Long Life

Feral goats have been controlled in New Zealand by treating leaves of favoured food plants with the poison sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) in a suitable carrier, either carbopol gel or petrolatum grease. The effect of these 2 carriers on the most suitable plant species (mahoe), their retention of 1080, their comparative palatability to goats, and the acceptance of the least palatable, petrolatum, were studied in a series of trials. Both carriers caused baited leaves to absciss, and the rate of abscission increased when 1080 was included. Toxic petrolatum was 3 times less phytotoxic than carbopol and retained 1080 for much longer (carbopol lost most of its toxin after 200 mm of rain). Abscissed petrolatum-treated leaves retained much of their toxicity for at least a year. Goats detected and, to some extent, rejected leaves of all treatments, either by not eating them or by spitting them out (particularly petrolatum-treated leaves). However, use of iophenoxic acid as a bait marker indicated that even petrolatum-treated leaves were consumed by 24 of 30 goats tested. Carbopol with 1080 is recommended for use where its distribution is sufficient to place all goats at immediate risk. Petrolatum is not recommended for general use, although it can be used in areas where a long-life bait is needed.

The Diets of the Large Rock-Rat, Zyzomys Woodwardi, and the Common Rock-Rat, Z. Argurus (Rodentia: Muridae).

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Begg ◽  
CJ Dunlop
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Food Store ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Reference Collection ◽  
The Common

The diets of Zyzomys woodwardi from two habitat types and Z, argurus from one of them were investigated by microanalysis of faecal samples which were collected over a 12-month period. Forty-three species of food plants were identified. Differences were found in the diets of Z. woodwardi from the two habitat types, according to the different food plants available; the two species living sympatrically shared 52% of plant species identified. Both species ate a wide range of seed sizes, according to what was available seasonally. Hard-shelled seeds remained on the ground as a ready food store for much of the year but grasses were utilized only in the dry season, as they rotted or germinated during the wet. The technique used produced fragments that were identifiable, when the reference collection was sufficiently extensive, but was not suitable for detailed quantitative comparisons and was extremely time-consuming.

scholarly journals Xylanase, and the role of digestibility and hindgut fermentation in pigs on energetic differences among high and low energy corn samples1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 4293-4297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L Petry ◽  
Helen V Masey O’Neill ◽  
John F Patience
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Fiber ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Total Dietary Fiber ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Ileal Digestibility ◽  
Collection Period ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Abstract The experimental objective was to evaluate the digestibility and fermentation differences between high and low energy corn samples and their response to xylanase supplementation. Four corn samples, 2 with higher DE content (HE-1 and HE-2; 3.74 and 3.75 Mcal DE/kg DM, respectively) and 2 with a lower DE content (LE-1 and LE-2; 3.63 and 3.56 Mcal DE/kg DM, respectively) were selected based upon a previous digestibility trial. Sixteen individually housed barrows (PIC 359 × C29; initial BW = 34.8 ± 0.23kg) were surgically fitted with an ileal T-cannula and randomly allotted to treatments in an 8 × 4 Youden square design. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 4 × 2 factorial: HE-1, HE-2, LE-1, and LE-2, with and without xylanase supplementation. Diets were formulated using one of the 4 corn samples, casein, vitamins, minerals, and 0.4% chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Feed intake was established at approximately 3 times the estimated energy required for maintenance (NRC 2012) based upon the average initial BW of the pigs at the start of each collection period, which consisted of 9 d adaptation, 2 d of fecal, and 3 d of ileal collections. Diets, ileal, and fecal samples were analyzed for DM, GE, and total dietary fiber (TDF), to determine apparent total tract (ATTD), hindgut fermentation (HF), apparent ileal digestibility (AID) coefficients. A diet × enzyme interaction was not observed for any of the measured variables (P > 0.10). The HE-1 and HE-2 diets had greater ATTD of GE, and HE-2 diet had greater ATTD of DM (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Xylanase, independent of diet, improved the ATTD of GE and DM (84.8 vs. 83.6% for GE with and without enzyme, respectively, P = 0.008; and 84.2 and 83.0% with and without enzyme, respectively, P = 0.007). The energetic differences among these corn samples appeared to be driven by fermentability in the hindgut. Supplementing xylanase improves digestibility irrespective of the digestibility energy content of corn.

Spatial analysis of limiting resources on an island: diet and shelter use reveal sites of conservation importance for the Rottnest Island quokka

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly L. Poole ◽  
Laily Mukaromah ◽  
Halina T. Kobryn ◽  
Patricia A. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Dietary Analysis ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
The Face ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Rest Sites

Context For conservation of any species, we need baseline data that will guide conservation planning strategies. Identifying plant resources used by animal species for food and shelter is the first important step towards fauna conservation. The second step is to determine the extent and distribution of these resources and thus identify prime habitat or habitat that could be improved through suitable management actions. This information provides the necessary spatial targeting required to make the most of few resources and a shortage of time. Aims Applying this model approach, we identified plant species used as food or shelter resources by the conservationally significant quokka (Setonix brachyurus) across Rottnest Island, Western Australia in the aftermath of the hottest and driest summer on record. Methods Dietary analysis was carried out using microhistological examination of plant cuticle remains from faecal samples for 67 locations across the island. Plants acting as diurnal rest shelters (n = 73 sites) were identified through observation of individuals flushed during surveys. Identifying key resources requires both a comprehensive analysis of the current use, as well as knowledge of availability of resources to determine selectivity. We therefore compared food plants or rest sites with a comprehensive survey of floristic diversity and abundance for 210 stratified-randomly located sites across the island. Key results We identified eight plant species that quokkas fed on preferentially and identified four plant species that were the principal shelter sites. We then used hyperspectral remote sensing data to map the distribution of these plant species to quantify their distribution and identify key habitat areas. Conclusions Understanding resource limitation over the most physiologically challenging time of the year provides important information for quokka conservation. Quokkas prefer Malvaceae species as food plants, and use dense, abundant shrubs for shelter. Implications Quokkas appear to have shifted their use of food plants since a previous study (50 years ago), likely reflecting modification of island vegetation due to anthropogenic influences, fire and herbivory over time. In the face of changing climate, this information will serve as an important guide towards conservation management actions on the island (e.g. future planning of revegetation and habitat protection/enhancement).

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