Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats
Abstract Rapid advances in genomic tools for use in ecological contexts and non‐model systems allow unprecedented insight into interactions that occur beyond direct observation. We developed an approach that couples microbial forensics with molecular dietary analysis to identify species interactions...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:74194c18f56144848a88d07a903682a0 2023-05-15T18:05:32+02:00 Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats Carly R. Muletz‐Wolz Erin Wilson Rankin Sarah McGrath‐Blaser Madhvi Venkatraman Jesús E. Maldonado Daniel S. Gruner Robert C. Fleischer 2021-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171 https://doaj.org/article/74194c18f56144848a88d07a903682a0 EN eng Wiley https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171 https://doaj.org/toc/2045-7758 2045-7758 doi:10.1002/ece3.7171 https://doaj.org/article/74194c18f56144848a88d07a903682a0 Ecology and Evolution, Vol 11, Iss 4, Pp 1814-1828 (2021) biomarkers decay forensics genomics Hawaii microbiome Ecology QH540-549.5 article 2021 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171 2022-12-31T15:29:23Z Abstract Rapid advances in genomic tools for use in ecological contexts and non‐model systems allow unprecedented insight into interactions that occur beyond direct observation. We developed an approach that couples microbial forensics with molecular dietary analysis to identify species interactions and scavenging by invasive rats on native and introduced birds in Hawaii. First, we characterized bacterial signatures of bird carcass decay by conducting 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing on chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) tissues collected over an 11‐day decomposition study in natural Hawaiian habitats. Second, we determined if field‐collected invasive black rats (Rattus rattus; n = 51, stomach and fecal samples) had consumed birds using molecular diet analysis with two independent PCR assays (mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and Cytochrome b genes) and Sanger sequencing. Third, we characterized the gut microbiome of the same rats using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing and identified 15 bacterial taxa that were (a) detected only in rats that consumed birds (n = 20/51) and (b) were indicative of decaying tissue in the chicken decomposition experiment. We found that 18% of rats (n = 9/51) likely consumed birds as carrion by the presence of bacterial biomarkers of decayed tissue in their gut microbiome. One species of native bird (Myadestes obscurus) and three introduced bird species (Lophura leucomelanos, Meleagris gallopavo, Zosterops japonicus) were detected in the rats’ diets, with individuals from these species (except L. nycthemera) likely consumed through scavenging. Bacterial biomarkers of bird carcass decay can persist through rat digestion and may serve as biomarkers of scavenging. Our approach can be used to reveal trophic interactions that are challenging to measure through direct observation. Article in Journal/Newspaper Rattus rattus Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Ecology and Evolution 11 4 1814 1828 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
biomarkers decay forensics genomics Hawaii microbiome Ecology QH540-549.5 |
spellingShingle |
biomarkers decay forensics genomics Hawaii microbiome Ecology QH540-549.5 Carly R. Muletz‐Wolz Erin Wilson Rankin Sarah McGrath‐Blaser Madhvi Venkatraman Jesús E. Maldonado Daniel S. Gruner Robert C. Fleischer Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
topic_facet |
biomarkers decay forensics genomics Hawaii microbiome Ecology QH540-549.5 |
description |
Abstract Rapid advances in genomic tools for use in ecological contexts and non‐model systems allow unprecedented insight into interactions that occur beyond direct observation. We developed an approach that couples microbial forensics with molecular dietary analysis to identify species interactions and scavenging by invasive rats on native and introduced birds in Hawaii. First, we characterized bacterial signatures of bird carcass decay by conducting 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing on chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) tissues collected over an 11‐day decomposition study in natural Hawaiian habitats. Second, we determined if field‐collected invasive black rats (Rattus rattus; n = 51, stomach and fecal samples) had consumed birds using molecular diet analysis with two independent PCR assays (mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and Cytochrome b genes) and Sanger sequencing. Third, we characterized the gut microbiome of the same rats using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing and identified 15 bacterial taxa that were (a) detected only in rats that consumed birds (n = 20/51) and (b) were indicative of decaying tissue in the chicken decomposition experiment. We found that 18% of rats (n = 9/51) likely consumed birds as carrion by the presence of bacterial biomarkers of decayed tissue in their gut microbiome. One species of native bird (Myadestes obscurus) and three introduced bird species (Lophura leucomelanos, Meleagris gallopavo, Zosterops japonicus) were detected in the rats’ diets, with individuals from these species (except L. nycthemera) likely consumed through scavenging. Bacterial biomarkers of bird carcass decay can persist through rat digestion and may serve as biomarkers of scavenging. Our approach can be used to reveal trophic interactions that are challenging to measure through direct observation. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Carly R. Muletz‐Wolz Erin Wilson Rankin Sarah McGrath‐Blaser Madhvi Venkatraman Jesús E. Maldonado Daniel S. Gruner Robert C. Fleischer |
author_facet |
Carly R. Muletz‐Wolz Erin Wilson Rankin Sarah McGrath‐Blaser Madhvi Venkatraman Jesús E. Maldonado Daniel S. Gruner Robert C. Fleischer |
author_sort |
Carly R. Muletz‐Wolz |
title |
Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
title_short |
Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
title_full |
Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
title_fullStr |
Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
title_full_unstemmed |
Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
title_sort |
identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171 https://doaj.org/article/74194c18f56144848a88d07a903682a0 |
genre |
Rattus rattus |
genre_facet |
Rattus rattus |
op_source |
Ecology and Evolution, Vol 11, Iss 4, Pp 1814-1828 (2021) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171 https://doaj.org/toc/2045-7758 2045-7758 doi:10.1002/ece3.7171 https://doaj.org/article/74194c18f56144848a88d07a903682a0 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171 |
container_title |
Ecology and Evolution |
container_volume |
11 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
1814 |
op_container_end_page |
1828 |
_version_ |
1766177008450011136 |