Use of DNA metabarcoding of bird pellets in understanding raptor diet on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China

Abstract Background Diet analysis is essential to understanding the functional role of large bird species in food webs. Morphological regurgitated pellet contents time intensive and may underestimate biodiversity. DNA metabarcoding has ability circumvent these issues, but yet be done. Methods We present a pilot study using MT-RNR1 MT-CO1 markers determine origin prey 45 pellets collected Qinghai Gansu Provinces, China. Results detected four raptor [Eurasian Eagle Owl ( Bubo bubo ), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Steppe Aquila nipalensis Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius )] 11 unique across 10 families 4 classes. Mammals were greatest class with Plateau Pika Ochotona curzoniae ) being most frequent. Observed Shannon’s Simpson’s diversity for 1.089 0.479, respectively, while expected values 1.312 ± 0.266 0.485 0.086. For Eurasian Owl, observed 1.202 0.565, 1.502 0.340 0.580 0.114. Interspecific dietary niche partitioning between two was not detected. Conclusions Our results demonstrate successful use diet via novel noninvasive sample type identify common uncommon species. More work needed understand how diets vary locally, mechanisms that enable exploitation similar resources. This approach wide ranging applicability other birds prey, demonstrates power noninvasively.