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Analysis of winter diet in Guizhou golden monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) using DNA metabarcoding data

Biology

Analysis of winter diet in Guizhou golden monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) using DNA metabarcoding data

X. Zhang, H. Zhong, et al.

Discover the first-ever DNA metabarcoding analysis of the winter diet of the critically endangered Guizhou golden monkey conducted by Xu Zhang and colleagues. This groundbreaking research reveals insights into the primate's feeding ecology, providing essential information for conservation efforts.

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~3 min • Beginner • English
Abstract
The Guizhou golden monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) is a critically endangered wildlife species, and understanding its diet composition may be useful for assessing its feeding strategies. DNA metabarcoding was used to determine the dietary diversity of R. brelichi. DNA was extracted from 31 faecal samples and amplified chloroplast rbcL and mitochondrial COI DNA was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq platform. A comparative analysis of the sequences revealed that the five most abundant plant genera were Magnolia, Morinda, Viburnum, Tetradium and Eurya. In winter, R. brelichi mostly consumed shrubs, herbs and shrubs/trees according to the habit of plant genera with higher abundances comparatively. The five most abundant families in animal diet were Psychodidae, Trichinellidae, Staphylinidae, Scarabaeidae and Trichoceridae. This study is the first to show the composition of the winter animal diets of R. brelichi based on DNA metabarcoding. These results provide an important basis for understanding the diet of wild R. brelichi, which inhabits only the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China.
Publisher
Ecology and Evolution
Published On
Jan 17, 2024
Authors
Xu Zhang, Huafu Zhong, Jingcheng Ran, Jiaxin Luo, Meifeng Chen, Haibo Li, Yeying Wang, Shaochuan Cheng, Yuying Yan, Xiaolong Huang
Tags
DNA metabarcoding
Guizhou golden monkey
winter diet
feeding ecology
conservation
plant genera
animal families
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