Assessment of the diet of the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) using DNA metabarcoding.

ABSTRACT: Invasive buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is considered a threat to the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii; NHW). Buffel grass outcompetes native grasses, reducing availability of native food items for NHW, and causes more intense fires due to the large volumes of dead matter it produces. Previous studies suggested buffel grass was increasing in the diet; however, the diet of the NHW has not been reassessed for over two decades and was limited to Epping Forest National Park, with the population at Richard Underwood Nature Refuge having never been assessed. The recently released 2022 Recovery Action Plan for the species outlined objectives to assist its conservation and recommended the impact of buffel grass on the species' diet be investig

SUBMITTER: Casey F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10485309 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature