Dietary competition between the alien Asian Musk Shrew (Suncus murinus) and a re-introduced population of Telfair's Skink (Leiolopisma telfairii)

被引:60
作者
Brown, D. S. [1 ]
Burger, R. [1 ]
Cole, N. [2 ,3 ]
Vencatasamy, D. [3 ]
Clare, E. L. [4 ]
Montazam, A. [5 ]
Symondson, W. O. C. [1 ]
机构
[1] Cardiff Univ, Cardiff Sch Biosci, Cardiff CF10 3AX, S Glam, Wales
[2] Durrell Wildlife Conservat Trust, Channel Isl JE3 5BP, Jersey, England
[3] Mauritian Wildlife Fdn, Vacoas, Mauritius
[4] Univ London, Sch Biol & Chem Sci, London E1 4NS, England
[5] Univ Edinburgh, Ashworth Labs, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, Midlothian, Scotland
基金
英国生物技术与生命科学研究理事会;
关键词
alien species; dietary overlap; molecular analysis of predation; next-generation sequencing; translocation; GENERALIST PREDATOR; MOLECULAR ANALYSIS; INVASIVE GECKO; ROUND-ISLAND; PREY DNA; ERADICATION; MAURITIUS; GALAXY; SNAKE; FOOD;
D O I
10.1111/mec.12445
中图分类号
Q5 [生物化学]; Q7 [分子生物学];
学科分类号
071010 ; 081704 ;
摘要
Re-introduction of rare species to parts of their historical range is becoming increasingly important as a conservation strategy. Telfair's Skinks (Leiolopisma telfairii), once widespread on Mauritius, were until recently found only on Round Island. There it is vulnerable to stochastic events, including the introduction of alien predators that may either prey upon it or compete for food resources. Consequently, skinks have been introduced to Ile aux Aigrettes, another small Mauritian island that has been cleared of rats. However, the island has been invaded by Asian Musk Shrews (Suncus murinus), a commensal species spread by man well beyond its natural Asian range. Our aim was to use next-generation sequencing to analyse the diets of the shrews and skinks to look for niche competition. DNA was extracted from skink faeces and from the stomach contents of shrews. Application of shrew-and skink-specific primers revealed no mutual predation. The DNA was then amplified using general invertebrate primers with tags to identify individual predators, and then sequenced by 454 pyrosequencing. 119 prey MOTUs (molecular taxonomic units) were isolated, although none could be identified to species. Seeding of cladograms with known sequences allowed higher taxonomic assignments in some cases. Although most MOTUs were not shared by shrews and skinks, Pianka's niche overlap test showed significant prey overlap, suggesting potentially strong competition where food resources are limited. These results suggest that removal of the shrews from the island should remain a priority.
引用
收藏
页码:3695 / 3705
页数:11
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