Dr Anna MacDonald1, Dr Julie McInnes1,2, Miss Andrea Polanowski1, Dr Bruce Deagle3, Dr Michael Dunn4, Dr Louise Emmerson1, Dr Leonie Suter1, Dr Claire Waluda4
1Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Australia, 2Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia, 3Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Hobart, United Kingdom, 4British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Biography:
Anna is a molecular ecologist – she uses genetic methods to study ecological questions and to inform wildlife management and policy. This includes using environmental DNA to survey biodiversity and detect invasive species, using scat DNA to study predator diets, and using genetics to inform conservation of threatened species. A key focus of Anna’s work is developing standardised and accessible tools and resources to enable genetic monitoring. Anna is also a member of the IUCN Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, the Coalition for Conservation Genetics, and co-chair of the GEO BON Genetic Composition Working Group.
Abstract:
Monitoring variability in predator diets can highlight key parameters for understanding and managing marine ecosystems. Penguin diets provide useful indicators of ecosystem variability and several species, including Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), are included in the CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme, which aims to detect and record significant changes in critical marine ecosystem components.
Current standard methods include using stomach lavage to identify prey composition and mass. However, there is increasing interest in less invasive methods. Analysis of prey DNA in faeces is one potential approach to complement existing standard diet monitoring. Improving knowledge of the differences between stomach lavage and molecular methods, in terms of resolution, biases, and the types of biodiversity observations possible, will be important as molecular methods become more widely used. Comparative datasets will facilitate recommendations for development and adoption of standardised DNA diet monitoring protocols.
To directly compare faecal DNA metabarcoding and stomach lavage methods, we examined diets of Adélie penguins during crèche at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, over eight seasons (2014-2021). We show that faecal DNA analysis provides an opportunity to establish a complementary alternative method for long-term diet monitoring. This could substantially enhance the inclusion of dietary observations in ecosystem monitoring, contributing to Antarctic marine biodiversity conservation.