Neotropical mustelids: fecal metabolome diversity and its potential for taxonomic discrimination

Chemical profiles of non-invasive biological material,such as feces,have great potential to study elusive animals or those with low population densities.Here,we use a metabolomic approach to evaluate Neotropical mustelids as a biological model to describe the diversity of the metabolites present in fecal samples,as well as to evaluate the potential of chemical profiles for taxonomic discrimination.We collected fecal samples from captive individuals of 5 species of mustelids occurring in Brazil and analyzed them by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry.Over 200 compounds have been annotated;“bile acids,alcohols and derivatives”was the most expressive class in the metabolome of all the species.We successfully discriminated 3 taxonomic groups:1—tayra(Eira barbara);2—otters(Lontra longicaudis and Pteronura brasiliensis;1);and 3—grisons(Galictis vittata and Galictis cuja).Several compounds seemed to be associated with food intake and the digestive process,while others were found for thefirst time in Neotropical mustelids.We concluded that mustelids show high metabolome diversity and that species-specific identification through metabolomic profiles is possible,thus contributing to the development and implementation of additional non-invasive approaches in the study of mustelids.

Native and exotic seed dispersal by the stone marten(Martes foina):implications for the regeneration of a relict climactic forest in central Portugal

The stone marten(Martes foina)is a carnivorous mammal that often consumes fleshy fruits,thus potential­ly promoting seed dispersion.The present study was developed in Bussaco National Forest,central Portugal,and aimed to assess the potential role of the stone marten in dispersing native and exotic plants in different for­est landscape types.Seeds from stone marten scats and fleshy fruits were collected monthly and were thereafter identified and sowed in a nursery,following a randomized experimental setup.Plant emergence was monitored fortnightly.Generalized linear models were used to test for differences in time and success of emergence be­tween seeds from scats and fruits of 3 native species(Rubus ulmifolius,Arbutus unedo and Celtis australis)and 1 exotic plant species with invasive behavior(Prunus laurocerasus).Fruit consumption by the stone martens significantly increased and accelerated the germination of the native R.ulmifolius but had no effect on the other 2 native species or on the invasive species.This suggested that stone martens contribute to gene flow and forest regeneration by dispersing native plant seeds.However,although the germination was not enhanced in the in­vasive species,the preference of stone martens for these fruits may potentially contribute to the proliferation of P.laurocerasus.Our study represents a contribution to better understanding the fauna and flora interactions,en­abling for a more conscious and effective decision-making in forest management.