Scat Samples Research Articles

Plastic ingestion by fishing cats suggests trophic transfer in urban wetlands

Recent studies have suggested that plastic contamination in some terrestrial and freshwater environments is estimated to be greater than that detected in marine environments. Urban wetlands are prone to plastic pollution but levels of contamination in their wildlife are poorly quantified. We collected 276 fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) scat samples in Colombo, Sri Lanka for a dietary study of urban fishing cats. We used traditional dietary analysis methodology to investigate the contents of the scats by washing, isolating, and identifying prey remains; while sorting prey remains of individual scats, we unexpectedly detected macroscopic (>1 mm) plastic debris in six (2.17%) of the samples. Across all scat samples, we detected low occurrences of microplastics (0.72%), mesoplastics (1.09%) and macroplastics (1.45%). All three plastic types were found in scats containing rodent remains, while meso-, and macroplastics were found in scats with avian remains, and micro- and macroplastics in scats containing freshwater fish remains. Given that felids are obligate generalist carnivores that eat live or recently dead prey and do not consume garbage, our findings suggest that trophic transfer of plastics occurred whereby fishing cats consumed prey contaminated with plastic. Although macroscopic plastic detection was low, our findings suggest that accumulation of plastics is occurring in wetland food webs, and plastic pollution in freshwater terrestrial systems could pose a risk to predators that do not directly consume plastics but inhabit contaminated environments.

Diet of spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) on farmlands in Namibia

Although their ecology has been well studied across their range, spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) diets, especially within Namibia, are understudied when compared to other large African carnivores in southern Africa. Large carnivores outside of protected areas often faces persecution by farmers as they are often perceived as being livestock killers and spotted hyaenas on arid farmlands in Namibia does not escape this prejudice. Here we investigated the scat composition of spotted hyaenas outside of protected areas on farmlands in south-western parts of Namibia. A total of 53 scat samples were collected from which 203 hair samples were used for identification purposes. Our results indicate that 69.46% of hairs in scat were of wildlife species whilst 30.54% of hairs were from domesticated species. The asymptote reached also suggested that 53 scat samples were sufficient to describe the spotted hyaeans's diet in this particular area. We suspect that an outbreak of rabies in the study area as well as anthropogenic food sources could have influenced prey consumption. As the majority of prey consumed were of wildlife species (such as kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros and Hartmann's Mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae) it is suggested that should the natural prey base be maintained livestock predation could be mitigated. We recommend that future researchers investigate the diet composition of the only other apex predator in this study area, leopards (Panther pardus) which could describe the prey selection and dietary overlap between these two large carnivores.

Free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris) in Lithuania: their distribution and impact on wildlife

The dog (Canis familiaris) is one of the most common predators in the world with a population of about 900 million, which continues to grow. Only 20% of the world population of dogs are considered pets. There are irresponsibly cared, free-roaming, or completely homeless individual dogs or their groups in the natural environment of Lithuania. The paper represents a study into the distribution of free-ranging dogs in the hunting areas of Lithuania and their impact on wild fauna. A telephone survey was conducted between 2019 and 2022 to find out the location of free-ranging dogs and their contact with wildlife between 2017 and 2021. Six-hundred-and-eighty users of hunting area units agreed to participate in the survey. In places where dogs were frequent, scats were collected and analysed. The conducted survey showed that in 361 hunting area units, the respondents observed free-ranging dogs at least once during the last five years, which makes 39.5% of all hunting area units in Lithuania. The dogs were observed in groups of 2–5 individuals that usually were larger than 15 kg. Free-ranging dogs interact with animals in the environment, the highest proportion of contacts (51.4%) is with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); 35.4% of those contacts resulted in the death of roe deer. Plant residues were detected in 92% samples of scats, but roe deer residues accounted for the highest biomass consumption (49%).

Spatial genetic structure and gene flow of the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), in a rapidly urbanising landscape

Urban landscapes contain many barriers to wildlife movement and gene flow, particularly for large terrestrial mammals with extensive natural home ranges. Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) are a large macropodid, whose biological range partially coincides with areas subjected to high rates of urban expansion, including the Southeast Queensland (SEQ) bioregion of Australia. Within this region, M. giganteus populations have had recent, rapid declines in numbers with ongoing urbanisation posing a significant threat due to the isolation of populations. Therefore, we investigated the genetic profile of kangaroos in a rapidly urbanising SEQ region (Sunshine Coast) by comparing them to other SEQ kangaroos (Greater Brisbane) and to higher density kangaroo populations in a landscape matrix with greater levels of connectivity (Australian Capital Territory; ACT). We utilised a targeted genetic probe of genome-wide SNPs to obtain baseline genetic profiles of M. giganteus using scat samples collected from 24 sites in the Sunshine Coast (n = 103) and compared these to Greater Brisbane (n = 20) and ACT (n = 29) scat samples. Genetic diversity was similar when comparing the ACT, Sunshine Coast and Greater Brisbane regions (HE: 0.224–0.238), yet effective population size was markedly higher for the ACT region (Ne = 3453) than for both the Sunshine Coast and Greater Brisbane (Ne = 43.3 and 25.0, respectively), with clear genetic differentiation on a regional scale. We also identified six genetic groups within our SEQ study area, with significant differences in genetic diversity (HE: 0.188 – 0.289). The presence of high numbers of private alleles in all regions and within some SEQ populations highlights the conservation significance of preserving local populations. We also identified natural and anthropogenic barriers, which may have impacted genetic processes such as gene flow in the region. Therefore, this research highlights the need for localised management of kangaroo populations to preserve genetic diversity and structure in the SEQ region, by maintaining and improving landscape connectivity. We emphasise that for the conservation of local and global biodiversity, it is imperative to assess baseline genetic status of both common and threatened species, particularly when declines and extirpations are occurring across these species’ ranges.

Assessing microplastic exposure of the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) on a remote oceanic island

Microplastics (<5 mm) are a ubiquitous marine pollutant which are highly bioavailable to marine organisms across all trophic levels. Marine predators are especially vulnerable to microplastic pollution through direct and indirect ingestion (e.g., trophic transfer) due to their high trophic position. In particular, oceanic islands are more susceptible to plastic accumulation, increasing the relative number of microplastics in the environment that are available for consumption. The dynamics of microplastic accumulation in marine predators inhabiting remote islands, however, is sparsely documented. Here we describe microplastic exposure in the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) from the Madeira archipelago (Northeast Atlantic) using scat-based analysis. Microplastics were recovered from 18 scat samples collected between 2014−2021 and were characterized to the polymer level using Fourier-Transform Infrared (u-FTIR) spectroscopy. A total of 390 microplastic particles were recovered, ranging between 0.2−8.6 particles g−1 dry weight (mean 1.84 ± 2.14 particles g−1) consisting mainly of fragments (69 %) of various sizes and polymer composition (e.g., PE, PET, PS). Microplastic prevalence (100 % of samples analysed) was higher than what has been previously recorded using scat-based analysis in other pinniped species. Our results suggest that the levels of microplastic pollution in the coastal food-web in the Madeira archipelago are relatively high, placing higher-trophic level organisms at increased risk of microplastic consumption, including humans. This study provides the first insights into microplastic exposure to Madeira's monk seals that may contribute to future management decisions for the species and their long-term survival.

Regenerative capacity of old‐fields on semi‐arid floodplains in the northern Murray–Darling basin

Revegetating abandoned agricultural lands is vital to restoring critical ecological functions and services. Natural regeneration, whereby vegetation regrows via the seeds already present within the landscape, has shown to be an effective approach to restoring large agricultural areas, although more research is required to understand the regenerative capacity of the various seed sources. Here, we investigate the regenerative capacity of old‐fields of semi‐arid floodplains of eastern Australia in a year‐long seedling emergence experiment. We examined the germinable seed banks from three potential propagule sources (soil, leaf litter, and animal scats) collected across 24 field sites, comprising 12 old‐fields and 12 adjacent remnant vegetation patches, distributed across four regions. Soil seed banks stored the most germinable species of the three seed bank types, although these were dominated largely by annual herbaceous species. High abundances of seedlings emerged from scat samples, indicating that native animals, such as kangaroos and emus, play a role in transporting seeds in these landscapes. Finally, leaf litter stored the most germinable propagules of woody species, therefore, representing a vital mechanism for woody vegetation regeneration. There were few differences in emerging seedling assemblages in terms of species richness, abundance or composition between seed banks of old‐fields and adjacent remnant vegetation, suggesting that old‐field seed banks have a high level of resilience. Our findings suggest that these seed banks can make an important contribution to natural regeneration of these old‐fields, but mainly with respect to understory and midstory species, with overstory tree species mostly absent from these seed sources.

DNA metabarcoding reveals that coyotes in New York City consume wide variety of native prey species and human food.

Carnivores are currently colonizing cities where they were previously absent. These urban environments are novel ecosystems characterized by habitat degradation and fragmentation, availability of human food, and different prey assemblages than surrounding areas. Coyotes (Canis latrans) established a breeding population in New York City (NYC) over the last few decades, but their ecology within NYC is poorly understood. In this study, we used non-invasive scat sampling and DNA metabarcoding to profile vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant dietary items with the goal to compare the diets of urban coyotes to those inhabiting non-urban areas. We found that both urban and non-urban coyotes consumed a variety of plants and animals as well as human food. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) were an important food item for coyotes within and outside NYC. In contrast, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were mainly eaten by coyotes inhabiting non-urban areas. Domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) was the human food item found in most scats from both urban and non-urban coyotes. Domestic cats (Felis catus) were consumed by urban coyotes but were detected in only a small proportion of the scats (<5%), which differs markedly from high rates of cat depredation in some other cities. In addition, we compared our genetic metabarcoding analysis to a morphological analysis of the same scat samples. We found that the detection similarity between the two methods was low and it varied depending on the type of diet item.

Dietary preferences and feeding strategies of Colombian highland woolly monkeys

Primates are very selective in the foods they include in their diets with foraging strategies that respond to spatial and temporal changes in resource availability, distribution and quality. Colombian woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha lugens), one of the largest primate species in the Americas, feed mainly on fruits, but they also eat a high percentage of arthropods. This differs from closely related Atelid species that supplement their diet with leaves. In an 11 month study, we investigated the foraging strategies of this endemic monkey and assessed how resource availability affects dietary selection. Using behavioural, phenological, arthropod sampling and metabarcoding methods, we recorded respectively foraging time, forest productivity, arthropod availability in the forest and arthropod consumption. Scat samples and capturing canopy substrates (i.e. moss, bromeliads, aerial insects) were used for assigning arthropod taxonomy. The most important resource in the diet was fruits (54%), followed by arthropods (28%). Resource availability predicted feeding time for arthropods but not for fruits. Further, there was a positive relationship between feeding time on fruits and arthropods, suggesting that eating both resources during the same periods might work as an optimal strategy to maximize nutrient intake. Woolly monkeys preferred and avoided some fruit and arthropod items available in their home range, choosing a wide variety of arthropods. Geometrid moths (Lepidoptera) were the most important and consistent insects eaten over time. We found no differences in the type of arthropods adults and juveniles ate, but adults invested more time foraging for this resource, especially in moss. Although woolly monkeys are generalist foragers, they do not select their food items randomly or opportunistically.

Highly contaminated river otters (Lontra canadensis) are effective biomonitors of environmental pollutant exposure

River otters (Lontra canadensis) are apex predators that bioaccumulate contaminants via their diet, potentially serving as biomonitors of watershed health. They reside throughout the Green-Duwamish River, WA (USA), a watershed encompassing an extreme urbanization gradient, including a US Superfund site slated for a 17-year remediation. The objectives of this study were to document baseline contaminant levels in river otters, assess otters’ utility as top trophic-level biomonitors of contaminant exposure, and evaluate the potential for health impacts on this species. We measured a suite of contaminants of concern, lipid content, nitrogen stable isotopes (δ15N), and microsatellite DNA markers in 69 otter scat samples collected from twelve sites. Landcover characteristics were used to group sampling sites into industrial (Superfund site), suburban, and rural development zones. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ether flame-retardants (PBDEs), dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increased significantly with increasing urbanization, and were best predicted by models that included development zone, suggesting that river otters are effective biomonitors, as defined in this study. Diet also played an important role, with lipid content, δ15N or both included in all best models. We recommend river otter scat be included in evaluating restoration efforts in this Superfund site, and as a potentially useful monitoring tool wherever otters are found. We also report ΣPCB and ΣPAH exposures among the highest published for wild river otters, with almost 70% of samples in the Superfund site exceeding established levels of concern.

One year on: rapid assessment of fauna and red fox diet after the 2019–20 mega-fires in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales

ABSTRACT Australia’s 2019–20 mega-fires burnt 79% of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, prompting an urgent need for rapid on-ground post-fire assessments of flora and fauna to aid in post-fire recovery. This project aimed to determine spatial patterns in populations and assemblages of vertebrates, vertebrate temporal activity, and the diet of the invasive Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, across burnt and unburnt sites. Using remote camera traps we surveyed 12 unburnt and 10 burnt sites approximately 12 months after the fires. We detected 41 species (11 mammals, 28 birds and 2 reptiles), with different species composition, but similar vertebrate species richness across both unburnt and burnt sites. The relative abundance of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus, Common Wombat Vombatus ursinus and Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen was higher in burnt sites, while small mammals (&amp;lt; 500 g) had higher relative abundance at unburnt sites. There was no difference in the relative abundance of the Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae across burnt and unburnt sites, and although 11 species of bird were only detected at unburnt sites, the numbers were too low for reliable estimates of differences. Red Fox scat analysis (n=23) revealed that invertebrates and plant material were the dominant prey items in both burnt and unburnt sites, but medium-sized mammals increased in Red Fox diets in burnt sites, and reptiles were consumed disproportionately more by Red Foxes in burnt compared to unburnt sites. Although the short-term nature of this study and low scat sample size limited detailed insights, our rapid survey was an effective tool to gain preliminary data on species responses to the 2019–20 megafires in the Blue Mountains and contribute to a baseline for understanding species recovery.

High overlap of zoonotic helminths between wild mammalian predators and rural dogs - an emerging One Health concern?

The concept of One Health emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health and is of growing significance, in part owing to the problems related to emerging infectious diseases of wildlife origin. Wild mammalian predators are a potential risk factor for transmission of zoonotic pathogens to domesticated animals and humans. This is especially relevant in rural areas, where transmission of zoonotic pathogens can occur particularly efficiently when free-ranging dogs are present. The main aim of this study was to determine helminth infections among wild mammalian predators and evaluate the overlap between helminth faunas of wild mammals and dogs. Scat samples of predators were collected in coastal areas of Western Estonia and genetic methodology applied for the correct identification of predator species from their scat. Parasitic helminths of mammalian predators in the scat samples were analysed and compared with dog data from a previous study. High helminth prevalence (~90%) was found in dominant predator species in the area, namely the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackal (Canis aureus). Moreover, the helminth fauna of both wild species, including potentially zoonotic helminths, overlapped largely with that of rural dogs in the same area. The results, together with the ones from earlier parasitological studies among humans in Estonia, emphasize the potential risk of pathogen transmission from wild mammalian predators to dogs and from dogs to humans, making parasitic diseases of wildlife a One Health concern.

Dietary composition and prey preference of Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris, Linnaeus 1758) of Parsa National Park, Nepal.

Carnivore diet studies insight on the health of the forest. The diet and prey preference of tigers of Parsa National Park (PNP) was studied from Nov-2019 to Feb-2020. The ratio of scat sample analyzed per tiger was 3.5 scats per tiger. The scat analysis identified 10 prey species and 81 prey items in the tiger’s diet. Spotted deer was the frequently killed prey species followed by wild boar and barking deer. In terms of biomass consumption, large-sized sambar was on the top. The average weight of the prey killed was 138 kg. The tiger strongly selected sambar and weakly selected small-sized barking deer. Medium-sized prey species (spotted deer and wild boar) were neglected. The large-sized prey and their density were the keys to increasing the tiger population in PNP. The absence of livestock in PNP’s tiger diet suggests it to be a potential area for tiger conservation.

Dietary diversity and niche partitioning of carnivores across the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China using DNA metabarcoding

Abstract Understanding predator guild resource use is vital for carnivore species preservation and ecosystem function in high-altitude landscapes. We describe the dietary composition, similarity, and niche overlap for seven carnivore species across three regions of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (Qilian Shan, East Burhanbuda Mountain, Yushu) using DNA metabarcoding of 760 scat samples. Analyses found 33 unique prey items representative of the classes Mammalia, Aves, and Actinopterygii. Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and pika (Ochotona sp.) were most frequently detected. Livestock in carnivore diets ranged from 4% to 7% depending on site, but accounted for 21.7% of Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus) diet. Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata), Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul), and snow leopard (Panthera uncia) had highly uneven diets. Intraguild predation of mesocarnivores by apex carnivores was found. Analysis of dietary niche overlap using Pianka’s index showed that overlap was significantly greater than expected among all carnivores examined and between apex and mesocarnivores, though significant correlations between carnivore body mass and prey body mass suggested broad separation in consumed prey. Snow leopard and Tibetan wolf diets were consistently the most similar of any two given species pairs. This study provides evidence of high dietary overlap. Protection for species consumed by a wide variety of carnivores will benefit predator guilds in the area and assist in maintaining the relatively low frequency of livestock predation. This work provides insight into the dynamics of carnivore guilds living in an area that has worldwide impacts, and methods herein could be applied on global scales for conservation efforts.

Characterising the Gut Microbiomes in Wild and Captive Short-Beaked Echidnas Reveals Diet-Associated Changes

The gut microbiome plays a vital role in health and wellbeing of animals, and an increasing number of studies are investigating microbiome changes in wild and managed populations to improve conservation and welfare. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is an iconic Australian species, the most widespread native mammal, and commonly held in zoos. Echidnas are cryptic animals, and much is still unknown about many aspects of their biology. Furthermore, some wild echidna populations are under threat, while echidnas held in captivity can have severe gastric health problems. Here, we used citizen science and zoos to collect echidna scats from across Australia to perform the largest gut microbiome study on any native Australian animal. Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding of scat samples, we characterised and compared the gut microbiomes of echidnas in wild (n = 159) and managed (n = 44) populations, which were fed four different diets. Wild echidna samples were highly variable, yet commonly dominated by soil and plant-fermenting bacteria, while echidnas in captivity were dominated by gut commensals and plant-fermenting bacteria, suggesting plant matter may play a significant role in echidna diet. This work demonstrates significant differences between zoo held and wild echidnas, as well as managed animals on different diets, revealing that diet is important in shaping the gut microbiomes in echidnas. This first analysis of echidna gut microbiome highlights extensive microbial diversity in wild echidnas and changes in microbiome composition in managed populations. This is a first step towards using microbiome analysis to better understand diet, gastrointestinal biology, and improve management in these iconic animals.

Multifaceted DNA metabarcoding of guano to uncover multiple classes of ecological data in two different bat communities.

DNA contained in animal scat provides a wealth of information about the animal, and DNA metabarcoding of scat collections can provide key information about animal populations and communities. Next‐generation DNA sequencing technologies and DNA metabarcoding provide an efficient means for obtaining information available in scat samples. We used multifaceted DNA metabarcoding (MDM) of noninvasively collected bat guano pellets from a Myotis lucifugus colony on Fort Drum Military Installation, New York, USA, and from two mixed‐species bat roosts on Fort Huachuca Military Installation, Arizona, USA, to identify attributes such as bat species composition, sex ratios, diet, and the presence of pathogens and parasites. We successfully identified bat species for nearly 98% of samples from Fort Drum and 90% of samples from Fort Huachuca, and identified the sex for 84% and 67% of samples from these same locations, respectively. Species and sex identification matched expectations based on prior censuses of bat populations utilizing those roosts, though samples from some species were more or less common than anticipated within Fort Huachuca roosts. Nearly 62% of guano samples from Fort Drum contained DNA from Pseudogymnoascus destructans, where bats with wing damage from White‐nose Syndrome were commonly observed. Putative dietary items were detected in a majority of samples from insectivorous bats on Fort Drum (81%) and Fort Huachuca (63%). A minority of guano samples identified as the nectarivorous Leptonycteris yerbabuenae (28%) provided DNA sequences from putative forage plant species. Finally, DNA sequences from both putative ecto‐ and endoparasite taxa were detected in 35% and 56% of samples from Fort Drum and Fort Huachuca, respectively. This study demonstrates that the combination of noninvasive sampling, DNA metabarcoding, and sample and locus multiplexing provide a wide array of data that are otherwise difficult to obtain.

What drives wolf preference towards wild ungulates? Insights from a multi-prey system in the Slovak Carpathians.

The wolf is a generalist-opportunistic predator that displays diverse and remarkably adaptable feeding strategies across its range with local adaptations to certain prey species depending on their availability and vulnerability. The multi-prey system of the Slovak Carpathians supports important portion of the European wolf population; however, it has been markedly understudied. We evaluated winter diet composition and prey selection of Slovak wolves based on 321 scat samples collected between September–April within four different study areas during 2015–2017. The winter diet of wolves in the Slovak Carpathians was characterized by a 98% occurrence of wild large-sized and medium-sized ungulates with red deer occurring in wolf scats most often, consistent with their highest density among other wild ungulates. However, by comparing the consumption with availability of wild prey, we found that wolves in fact selected for wild boar especially in areas with higher altitudinal range, while selected for red deer in areas with low altitudinal range where this prey species was more spatially predictable. Although wolves showed the potential to switch between red deer and wild boar when their density increases, we found that this variation can be rather linked to changing prey vulnerability, which is dependent on particular environmental conditions at local scale such as topography and snow accumulation. The present study provides valuable insights into the winter foraging ecology of Slovak wolves in a multi-prey system of the Carpathians and allows for practical implications in the management of the rapidly increasing populations of wild ungulates across Europe.

Genetic sampling and an activity index indicate contrasting outcomes of lethal control for an invasive predator

ABSTRACTInvasive mammalian predators are implicated in the ongoing decline of a suite of fauna and continue to be a major cause of human–wildlife conflict globally. Lethal control of invasive predators is a common management strategy; however, the use of activity indices to measure management effectiveness is problematic. Non‐invasive genetic sampling may be a viable alternative approach to monitoring as individual animals can be identified, allowing for direct estimation of population density through newly developed spatially explicit capture–recapture techniques. Here we compare inferences derived from a basic activity index (number of scats per survey) and genetic sampling of scats within a before–after control–impact design to evaluate the effectiveness of a lethal control programme targeting red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in south‐eastern Australia. The activity index was highly variable through time and suggested the baiting programme reduced fox activity on the treatment transect relative to changes on the non‐treatment transect. In contrast, genetic sampling and spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis suggested fox density varied little throughout the study, with any changes unable to be attributed to the baiting programme. Additionally, genetic sampling confirmed many individuals persisted through 7 months of baiting. These contrasting results may be partially explained by changes in scat detectability due to seasonal changes in behaviour and the disproportionate contribution of some individuals to scat counts. Our pre‐baiting density estimate of 0.28 foxes km2 (95% CI: 0.22–0.38) was lower than expected given the high productivity, abundant prey species and lack of larger predators in the study region. Our results highlight the need for cautious interpretation of activity indices and demonstrates the value of incorporating recent methodological and statistical advances when evaluating lethal control programmes.

The bird shiny cowbirds (Molothrus Bonariensis) in a relationship interesting of mycophagy with the mushroom Macrolepiota Bonaerensis in the brazilian pampa biome

Bird-fungi associations are ecologically important, and the species of these groups that occur in the Pampa biome region have different characteristics. The Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis – Icteridae) is a ground foraging bird that cohabits vegetation of grasslands. Some mushrooms of this biome have considerably large and edible basidiomes, such as species of genus Macrolepiota (Agaricaceae). Therefore, the objective of this study was to contribute to the first description of mycophagy for the Pampa biome, including the species Molothrus bonariensis and Macrolepiota bonariensis. Data were submitted to a test of variance ANOVA and Tukey test at a 5% significance level. For the quantitative multivariate data, the test of Kiviat was elaborated. The test of Schumacher and Eschmeyer was used to determine the degree of interaction of the birds with the mushrooms. 60 hours of observations were realized with a flock of bird containing approximately 76 individuals in the study area. 30 fresh scat samples and 10 mushrooms that showed pecks signals were collected from the area georeferenced. Microscopic analysis of scat of birds revealed basidiospores of mushroom. For the record of foraging events, the mycophagy of birds was higher in zones with more occurrence of mushrooms. The results assist in better understand this important mycophagy interaction between the Shiny Cowbird and the mushroom M. bonaerensis. The study confirms that bird-fungal mycophagy associations are more widespread than previously thought.

River Otter Feeding Habits in Wisconsin, U.S.A.: Evidence of Microbead Contamination

The ability of an animal to acquire enough food to meet its caloric needs is key to its survival and fitness. Understanding the composition of that animal's diet is a crucial element to consider when assessing the species' health and overall role in its ecosystem. We conducted a dietary study of Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) at 18 sites across 12 different watersheds in Wisconsin, U.S.A., from summer 2017 through winter 2018. We report the frequency of prey remains found in river otter scats (n = 190) collected at these sites. Fish of any kind appeared in 86% (n = 163) of all scat samples, while crayfish (Cambaridae) were the most commonly occurring individual prey item, appearing in 62% (n = 117) of all scat samples. The second most common prey groups were the bottom feeder fish (Catostomidae and Cyprinidae) group and the panfish (Centrarchidae) group, which both occurred in 45% of all scats. While identifying prey species, we found small, spherical objects that did not appear to be of biological origin in 48% (n = 92) of all scats. After testing the objects using multiple approaches, we confirmed the objects as microbeads, defined as small beads of plastic composition no larger than 5mm in size. This is the first recorded observation of plastic microbeads associated with river otters in North America, and may indicate bioaccumulation of these objects in inland waterways.

Seed traits and fate support probable primary dispersal of a native hemi-parasitic vine Cassytha pubescens (Lauraceae) by Isoodon obesulus, an endangered marsupial, in southern Australia

ABSTRACT Consumption of seeds by fruit-eating animals is one of the most effective dispersal mechanisms for plants, yet little is known about dispersal by marsupial vectors. In the face of habitat fragmentation and the recent extinction or decline of many marsupial species in southern Australia, addressing knowledge gaps on vertebrate vectors is critical to determine deficiencies in seed dispersal. Here we examine one potential dispersal vector for the seeds of Cassytha pubescens, a native hemi-parasitic vine that contributes to vegetation complexity within many woodland habitats in southern Australia that are threatened by fragmentation. To determine the potential dispersal role of mammals for Cassytha pubescens within southern Australian woodlands, we collected and examined 46 scat samples from the omnivorous, nationally endangered southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus, over two fruiting (summer) seasons. Of the 46 scats, five had up to six seemingly undigested seeds of C. pubescens, indicating that I. obesulus consumes the fruits and may act as a disperser for this vine. Our findings improve understanding of the role of marsupials like bandicoots in dispersing native plant seed and may help to inform conservation management priorities to protect ecosystem function more effectively in fragmented woodlands threatened by loss of vertebrate seed vectors.