Understanding Bat Diets by Using Guano DNA to Analyze Insect Consumption
Disciplines
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Bats play an essential ecological role in insect control, pollinating, and dispersing seeds. In the United States alone, an estimated 53% are at moderate to very high risk of going extinct within the next 15 years. Bat guano is an easily accessible and non-intrusive source of Bat DNA as it contains undigested insects, the prey of over 70% of the bat population. By analyzing bat DNA through guano, we identify the insects that the bats are eating and monitor the partition of their resources. We did this through polymerase chain reaction, known as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA barcoding. PCR was used to amplify a single DNA sequence into millions or billions of copies, which allowed us to analyze these previously tiny amounts of genetic material. Gel electrophoresis was then used by taking the amplified DNA fragments, inputting the DNA into an agarose gel, and then separating and visualizing them to be read to see if insect DNA was present. Next, we used DNA barcoding to determine our samples' insect order and species. The data indicates that bats' diets shift between species and seasons. With the increased endangerment of bats, non-invasive DNA collection and understanding of their dietary habits can be used in future conservation efforts. By understanding what insects’ bats eat, we can identify important prey insects to ensure bats have access to necessary food sources and improve our conservation efforts to protect bats.
Use of AI Disclaimer
no
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM – Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Thomas McElroy
Understanding Bat Diets by Using Guano DNA to Analyze Insect Consumption
Bats play an essential ecological role in insect control, pollinating, and dispersing seeds. In the United States alone, an estimated 53% are at moderate to very high risk of going extinct within the next 15 years. Bat guano is an easily accessible and non-intrusive source of Bat DNA as it contains undigested insects, the prey of over 70% of the bat population. By analyzing bat DNA through guano, we identify the insects that the bats are eating and monitor the partition of their resources. We did this through polymerase chain reaction, known as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA barcoding. PCR was used to amplify a single DNA sequence into millions or billions of copies, which allowed us to analyze these previously tiny amounts of genetic material. Gel electrophoresis was then used by taking the amplified DNA fragments, inputting the DNA into an agarose gel, and then separating and visualizing them to be read to see if insect DNA was present. Next, we used DNA barcoding to determine our samples' insect order and species. The data indicates that bats' diets shift between species and seasons. With the increased endangerment of bats, non-invasive DNA collection and understanding of their dietary habits can be used in future conservation efforts. By understanding what insects’ bats eat, we can identify important prey insects to ensure bats have access to necessary food sources and improve our conservation efforts to protect bats.