DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States
Abstract Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most widespread, destructive vertebrate species globally. Their success can largely be attributed to their generalist diets, which are dominated by plant material but also include diverse animal taxa. Wild pigs are demonstrated nest predators o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48139-9 |
| _version_ | 1797415413820162048 |
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| author | Vienna R. Canright Antoinette J. Piaggio Sarah M. Chinn Rachael M. Giglio Joseph M. Craine James C. Beasley |
| author_facet | Vienna R. Canright Antoinette J. Piaggio Sarah M. Chinn Rachael M. Giglio Joseph M. Craine James C. Beasley |
| author_sort | Vienna R. Canright |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most widespread, destructive vertebrate species globally. Their success can largely be attributed to their generalist diets, which are dominated by plant material but also include diverse animal taxa. Wild pigs are demonstrated nest predators of ground-nesting birds and reptiles, and likely pose a threat to amphibians given their extensive overlap in wetland use. DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples from 222 adult wild pigs culled monthly from 2017 to 2018 revealed a diverse diet dominated by plant material, with 166 plant genera from 56 families and 18 vertebrate species identified. Diet composition varied seasonally with availability for plants and was consistent between sexes. Amphibians were the most frequent vertebrate group consumed and represented the majority of vertebrate species detected, suggesting amphibians are potentially vulnerable to predation by wild pigs in our study region. Mammal, reptile, and bird species were also detected in pig diets, but infrequently. Our results highlight the need for research on the impacts of wild pigs on amphibians to better inform management and conservation of imperiled species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:48:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-909632353aa74f588ac20a525d74ec63 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:48:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-909632353aa74f588ac20a525d74ec632023-12-03T12:19:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-11-0113111210.1038/s41598-023-48139-9DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United StatesVienna R. Canright0Antoinette J. Piaggio1Sarah M. Chinn2Rachael M. Giglio3Joseph M. Craine4James C. Beasley5Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of GeorgiaU.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterSavannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of GeorgiaU.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterJonah Ventures, LLCSavannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of GeorgiaAbstract Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most widespread, destructive vertebrate species globally. Their success can largely be attributed to their generalist diets, which are dominated by plant material but also include diverse animal taxa. Wild pigs are demonstrated nest predators of ground-nesting birds and reptiles, and likely pose a threat to amphibians given their extensive overlap in wetland use. DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples from 222 adult wild pigs culled monthly from 2017 to 2018 revealed a diverse diet dominated by plant material, with 166 plant genera from 56 families and 18 vertebrate species identified. Diet composition varied seasonally with availability for plants and was consistent between sexes. Amphibians were the most frequent vertebrate group consumed and represented the majority of vertebrate species detected, suggesting amphibians are potentially vulnerable to predation by wild pigs in our study region. Mammal, reptile, and bird species were also detected in pig diets, but infrequently. Our results highlight the need for research on the impacts of wild pigs on amphibians to better inform management and conservation of imperiled species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48139-9 |
| spellingShingle | Vienna R. Canright Antoinette J. Piaggio Sarah M. Chinn Rachael M. Giglio Joseph M. Craine James C. Beasley DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States Scientific Reports |
| title | DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States |
| title_full | DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States |
| title_fullStr | DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States |
| title_short | DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States |
| title_sort | dna metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs sus scrofa in the southeastern united states |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48139-9 |
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