DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii)
Abstract Introduced species can exert disproportionately negative effects on island ecosystems, but their potential role as food for native consumers is poorly studied. Telfair's skinks are endemic omnivores living on Round Island, Mauritius, a globally significant site of biodiversity conserva...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8484 |
| _version_ | 1797924617162063872 |
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| author | Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel Rosemary J. Moorhouse‐Gann Jordan P. Cuff Lorna E. Drake Nik C. Cole Martine Goder Rouben Mootoocurpen William O. C. Symondson |
| author_facet | Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel Rosemary J. Moorhouse‐Gann Jordan P. Cuff Lorna E. Drake Nik C. Cole Martine Goder Rouben Mootoocurpen William O. C. Symondson |
| author_sort | Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduced species can exert disproportionately negative effects on island ecosystems, but their potential role as food for native consumers is poorly studied. Telfair's skinks are endemic omnivores living on Round Island, Mauritius, a globally significant site of biodiversity conservation. We aimed to determine the dietary diversity and key trophic interactions of Telfair's skinks, whether introduced species are frequently consumed, and if diet composition changes seasonally between male and female skinks. We used DNA metabarcoding of skink fecal samples to identify animals (COI) and plants (ITS2) consumed by skinks. There were 389 dietary presence counts belonging to 77 dietary taxa found across the 73 Telfair's skink fecal samples. Introduced taxa were cumulatively consumed more frequently than other categories, accounting for 49.4% of all detections, compared to cryptogenic (20.6%), native (20.6%), and endemic taxa (9.5%). The most frequently consumed introduced species was the ant, Pheidole megacephala, present in 40% of samples. Blue latan palm, Latania loddigesii, was the most frequently consumed endemic species, present in 33% of samples but was only detected in the dry season, when fruits are produced. We found a strong seasonal difference in diet composition explained by the presence of certain plant species solely or primarily in one season and a marked increase in the consumption of animal prey in the dry season. Male and female skinks consumed several taxa at different frequencies. These results present a valuable perspective on the role of introduced species in the trophic network of their invaded ecosystem. Both native and introduced species provide nutritional resources for skinks, and this may have management implications in the context of species conservation and island restoration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T15:03:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f4efb855031441589416a16e0933d7a3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T15:03:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-f4efb855031441589416a16e0933d7a32023-02-15T09:06:07ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582022-01-01121n/an/a10.1002/ece3.8484DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii)Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel0Rosemary J. Moorhouse‐Gann1Jordan P. Cuff2Lorna E. Drake3Nik C. Cole4Martine Goder5Rouben Mootoocurpen6William O. C. Symondson7School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UKSchool of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UKSchool of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UKSchool of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UKDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Trinity JerseyMauritian Wildlife Foundation Vacoas MauritiusMauritian Wildlife Foundation Vacoas MauritiusSchool of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UKAbstract Introduced species can exert disproportionately negative effects on island ecosystems, but their potential role as food for native consumers is poorly studied. Telfair's skinks are endemic omnivores living on Round Island, Mauritius, a globally significant site of biodiversity conservation. We aimed to determine the dietary diversity and key trophic interactions of Telfair's skinks, whether introduced species are frequently consumed, and if diet composition changes seasonally between male and female skinks. We used DNA metabarcoding of skink fecal samples to identify animals (COI) and plants (ITS2) consumed by skinks. There were 389 dietary presence counts belonging to 77 dietary taxa found across the 73 Telfair's skink fecal samples. Introduced taxa were cumulatively consumed more frequently than other categories, accounting for 49.4% of all detections, compared to cryptogenic (20.6%), native (20.6%), and endemic taxa (9.5%). The most frequently consumed introduced species was the ant, Pheidole megacephala, present in 40% of samples. Blue latan palm, Latania loddigesii, was the most frequently consumed endemic species, present in 33% of samples but was only detected in the dry season, when fruits are produced. We found a strong seasonal difference in diet composition explained by the presence of certain plant species solely or primarily in one season and a marked increase in the consumption of animal prey in the dry season. Male and female skinks consumed several taxa at different frequencies. These results present a valuable perspective on the role of introduced species in the trophic network of their invaded ecosystem. Both native and introduced species provide nutritional resources for skinks, and this may have management implications in the context of species conservation and island restoration.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8484dietary analysisinvasive speciesisland restorationmultiple markersPheidole megacephalareptiles |
| spellingShingle | Maximillian P. T. G. Tercel Rosemary J. Moorhouse‐Gann Jordan P. Cuff Lorna E. Drake Nik C. Cole Martine Goder Rouben Mootoocurpen William O. C. Symondson DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) Ecology and Evolution dietary analysis invasive species island restoration multiple markers Pheidole megacephala reptiles |
| title | DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) |
| title_full | DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) |
| title_fullStr | DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) |
| title_full_unstemmed | DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) |
| title_short | DNA metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore, Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) |
| title_sort | dna metabarcoding reveals introduced species predominate in the diet of a threatened endemic omnivore telfair s skink leiolopisma telfairii |
| topic | dietary analysis invasive species island restoration multiple markers Pheidole megacephala reptiles |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8484 |
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