Prey Identification of the Little Tern, Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764), by Applying DNA Barcoding to Fecal Materials

Hyunbin Jo, Ji-Deok Jang, Keon-Young Jeong, Jeong-An Gim, Gea-Jae Joo and Kwang-Seuk Jeong ()
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Hyunbin Jo: Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
Ji-Deok Jang: National Institute of Ecology, Seochun Gun 33657, Korea
Keon-Young Jeong: Department of Companion Animals Health, Dongju College, Busan 49318, Korea
Jeong-An Gim: Medical Science Research Center, College of Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Korea
Gea-Jae Joo: Department of Integrated Biological Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
Kwang-Seuk Jeong: Department of Nursing Science, Dongju College, Busan 49318, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-9

Abstract: This study describes the prey DNA fragments found in the feces of a migratory bird species, the little tern, Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764), based on a DNA barcoding approach. This species is found in Nakdong Estuary, South Korea, and is a species designated as ‘Least Concern’ (IUCN Red List). Prey identification is a central issue of population conservation, and we applied DNA barcoding (using cytochrome oxidase I; COI) to fecal materials from little tern individuals. We successfully identified prey consumed by little tern individuals. All prey items comprised one phylum including three classes, six orders, and eight families based on a robust dual certification scheme (combined analysis of BLASTn searches and phylogenetic tree construction). Even though the success of identification was largely dependent on the degree of completion of the database in the genebank or BOLD systems, an increased resolution of prey identification to species level is important in predator–prey research. The current study used a small number of fecal samples to evaluate the applicability of the COI barcoding region to avifaunal feces, and more fecal samples are expected to convey increased information that can be used to infer the range of the prey species of little terns.

Keywords: migratory bird; feces; dual certification; resolution of prey identification; COI barcoding region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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