loading page

Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding reveals spatial and sexual variation in the diet of a scarce woodland bird.
  • +6
  • Ewan Stenhouse,
  • Paul Bellamy,
  • Will Kirby,
  • Ian Vaughan,
  • Lorna Drake,
  • Angela Marchbank,
  • Trudy Workman,
  • W.O.C. Symondson,
  • Pablo Orozco-terWengel
Ewan Stenhouse
Cardiff University

Corresponding Author:stenhouseeh@cardiff.ac.uk

Author Profile
Paul Bellamy
RSPB
Author Profile
Will Kirby
RSPB
Author Profile
Ian Vaughan
Cardiff University
Author Profile
Lorna Drake
Cardiff University
Author Profile
Angela Marchbank
Cardiff University College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Author Profile
Trudy Workman
Cardiff University
Author Profile
W.O.C. Symondson
Cardiff University
Author Profile
Pablo Orozco-terWengel
Cardiff University
Author Profile

Abstract

Avian diet can be affected by site-specific variables, such as habitat, as well as intrinsic factors such as sex. This can lead to dietary niche separation, which reduces competition between individuals, as well as impacting how well avian species can adapt to environmental variation. Estimating dietary niche separation is challenging, due largely to difficulties in accurately identifying food taxa consumed. Consequently, there is limited knowledge of the diets of woodland bird species, many of which are undergoing serious population declines. Here, we show the effectiveness of multi-marker faecal metabarcoding to provide in-depth dietary analysis of a declining passerine, the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes). We collected faecal samples from (n=262) UK Hawfinches prior to, and during the breeding seasons in 2016-2019. We detected 49 and 90 plant and invertebrate taxa, respectively. We found Hawfinch diet varied spatially, as well as between sexes, indicating broad dietary plasticity and the ability of Hawfinches to utilise multiple resources within their foraging environments.
21 Feb 2023Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
22 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
22 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
23 Feb 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Apr 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
24 Apr 20231st Revision Received
25 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
25 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
25 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Apr 2023Editorial Decision: Accept