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Environmental DNA metabarcoding of cow dung reveals taxonomic and functional diversity of invertebrate assemblages.

ABSTRACT: Insects and other terrestrial invertebrates are declining in species richness and abundance. This includes the invertebrates associated with herbivore dung, which have been negatively affected by grazing abandonment and the progressive loss of large herbivores since the Late Pleistocene. Importantly, traditional monitoring of these invertebrates is time-consuming and requires considerable taxonomic expertise, which is becoming increasingly scarce. In this study, we investigated the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of cow dung samples for biomonitoring of dung-associated invertebrates. From eight cowpats we recovered eDNA from 12 orders, 29 families, and at least 54 species of invertebrates (mostly insects), representing several functional groups. Furthermore, species compositions differed between the three sampled habitats of dry grassland, meadow, and forest. These differences were in accordance with the species' ecology; for instance, several species known to be associated with humid conditions or lower temperatures were found only in the forest habitat. We discuss potential caveats of the method, as well as directions for future study and perspectives for implementation in research and monitoring.

SUBMITTER: Sigsgaard EE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8359373 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Environmental DNA metabarcoding of cow dung reveals taxonomic and functional diversity of invertebrate assemblages.

Sigsgaard Eva Egelyng EE Olsen Kent K Hansen Morten D D MDD Hansen Oskar Liset Pryds OLP Høye Toke Thomas TT Svenning Jens-Christian JC Thomsen Philip Francis PF

Molecular ecology 20201215 13

Insects and other terrestrial invertebrates are declining in species richness and abundance. This includes the invertebrates associated with herbivore dung, which have been negatively affected by grazing abandonment and the progressive loss of large herbivores since the Late Pleistocene. Importantly, traditional monitoring of these invertebrates is time-consuming and requires considerable taxonomic expertise, which is becoming increasingly scarce. In this study, we investigated the potential of ...[more]

PMID: 33205529

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Dataset Information

Environmental DNA metabarcoding of cow dung reveals taxonomic and functional diversity of invertebrate assemblages.

Publications

Environmental DNA metabarcoding of cow dung reveals taxonomic and functional diversity of invertebrate assemblages.

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