DNA metabarcoding the diet of Podarcis lizards endemic to the Balearic Islands

Dietary studies are essential to unravel the functioning of ecosystems and ultimately to understand biodiversity.This task,which at first may seem simple,becomes especially complex in those cases of omnivorous species with highly variable diets.In this regard,the emergence of next-generation DNA sequencing methodologies represents a powerful tool to address the problem.Here we implement a high-throughput metabarcoding strategy based on the analysis of four molecular markers aimed at sequencing both mitochondrial(animal prey)and chloroplast(diet plants)genome fragments from fecal samples of two lizard species endemic to the Balearic Archipelago(Podarcis lilfordi and P.pityusensis)obtained through non-invasive methods.The results allowed for the characterization of their diets with a high degree of taxonomic detail and have contributed a large number of new trophic records.The reported diets are based mainly on the consumption of arthropods,mollusks and plants from a diversity of taxonomic orders,as well as carrion and marine subsidies.Our analyses also reveal inter-and intra-specific differences both in terms of seasonality and geographical distribution of the sampled lizard populations.These molecular findings provide new insights into the trophic interactions of these threatened endemic lizards in their unique and isolated ecosystems.

Coping with drought?Effects of extended drought conditions on soil invertebrate prey and diet selection by a fossorial amphisbaenian reptile

Arid climates are characterized by a summer drought period to which animals seem adapted.However,in some years,the drought can extend for unusually longer periods.Examining the effects of these current extreme weather events on biodiversity can help to understand the effects of climate change,as models predict an increase in drought severity.Here,we examined the effects of“unusual”extended drought on soil invertebrate prey availability and on diet composition(based on fecal contents)and diet selection of a fossorial amphisbaenian,the checkerboard worm lizard Trogonophis wiegmanni.Weather data show interannual variations in summer drought duration.The abundance and diversity of soil invertebrates in spring were high,and similar to those found in a“normal”early autumn,after some rain had ended with the summer drought.In contrast,in years with“unusual”extended drought,abundance,and diversity of soil invertebrates in early autumn were very low.Also,there were seasonal changes in amphisbaenians’diet;in autumn with drought,prey diversity,and niche breadth decreased with respect to spring and autumns after some rain had fallen.Amphisbaenians did not eat prey at random in any season,but made some changes in prey selection that may result from drought-related restrictions in prey availability.Finally,in spite that amphisbaenians showed some feeding flexibility,their body condition was lower in autumn than in spring,and much lower in autumn with drought.If extended drought became the norm in the future,amphisbaenians might suffer important negative effects for their health state.