Objective:To demonstrate a noninvasive large mammalian genetic sampling method using blood meal obtained from a tabanid fly.Methods:Blood meal was recovered from the abdomen of an engorged tabanid fly(Haematopota sp.)...Objective:To demonstrate a noninvasive large mammalian genetic sampling method using blood meal obtained from a tabanid fly.Methods:Blood meal was recovered from the abdomen of an engorged tabanid fly(Haematopota sp.)which was captured immediately after biting a Sumatran rhino in captivity.The blood was applied on to a Whatman FTAblood card.Subsequent laboratory work was conducted to extract,amplify and sequence the DNA from the sample.Validation was done by sampling the hair follicles and blood samples from the rhinoceros and subjecting it to the same laboratory process.Results:BLAST search and constructed phylogenetic trees confirmed the blood meal samples were indeed from the rhino.Conclusions:This method could be used in the field application to noninvasively collect genetic samples.Collection of tabanids and other haematophagous arthropods(e.g.mosquitoes and ticks)and other blood-sucking parasites(e.g.leeches and worms)could also provide information on vector-borne diseases.展开更多
Although the role of primates in seed dispersal is generally well recognized,this is not the case for colobines,which are widely distributed in Asian and African tropical forests.Colobines consume leaves,seeds and fru...Although the role of primates in seed dispersal is generally well recognized,this is not the case for colobines,which are widely distributed in Asian and African tropical forests.Colobines consume leaves,seeds and fruits,usually unripe.A group of proboscis monkeys(Colobinae,Nasalis larvatus)consisting of 1 alpha-male,6 adult females and several immatures,was observed from May 2005 to May 2006.A total of 400 fecal samples from focal group members covering 13 months were examined,with over 3500 h of focal observation data on the group members in a forest along the Menanggul River,Sabah,Malaysia.Intact small seeds were only found in 23 of 71 samples in Nov 2005,15 of 38 in Dec 2005 and 5 of 21 in Mar 2006.Seeds of Ficus(all<1.5 mm in length)were found in all 3 months and seeds from Antidesma thwaitesianum(all<3 mm)and Nauclea subdita(all<2 mm)only in Nov and Dec,which was consistent with members of the study group consuming fruits of these species mostly at these times.To our knowledge,these are the fi rst records of seeds in the fecal samples of colobines.Even if colobines pass relatively few seeds intact,their high abundance and biomass could make them quantitatively significant in seed dispersal.The potential role of colobines as seed dispersers should be considered by colobine researchers.展开更多
基金supported by the Sime Darby Foundation(Grant code:P23 071000490001)
文摘Objective:To demonstrate a noninvasive large mammalian genetic sampling method using blood meal obtained from a tabanid fly.Methods:Blood meal was recovered from the abdomen of an engorged tabanid fly(Haematopota sp.)which was captured immediately after biting a Sumatran rhino in captivity.The blood was applied on to a Whatman FTAblood card.Subsequent laboratory work was conducted to extract,amplify and sequence the DNA from the sample.Validation was done by sampling the hair follicles and blood samples from the rhinoceros and subjecting it to the same laboratory process.Results:BLAST search and constructed phylogenetic trees confirmed the blood meal samples were indeed from the rhino.Conclusions:This method could be used in the field application to noninvasively collect genetic samples.Collection of tabanids and other haematophagous arthropods(e.g.mosquitoes and ticks)and other blood-sucking parasites(e.g.leeches and worms)could also provide information on vector-borne diseases.
基金partly financed by HOPE and Human Evolution Project of KUPRI,Grant-in-Aid for challenging Exploratory Research(24657170)Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from the Japan Science Society。
文摘Although the role of primates in seed dispersal is generally well recognized,this is not the case for colobines,which are widely distributed in Asian and African tropical forests.Colobines consume leaves,seeds and fruits,usually unripe.A group of proboscis monkeys(Colobinae,Nasalis larvatus)consisting of 1 alpha-male,6 adult females and several immatures,was observed from May 2005 to May 2006.A total of 400 fecal samples from focal group members covering 13 months were examined,with over 3500 h of focal observation data on the group members in a forest along the Menanggul River,Sabah,Malaysia.Intact small seeds were only found in 23 of 71 samples in Nov 2005,15 of 38 in Dec 2005 and 5 of 21 in Mar 2006.Seeds of Ficus(all<1.5 mm in length)were found in all 3 months and seeds from Antidesma thwaitesianum(all<3 mm)and Nauclea subdita(all<2 mm)only in Nov and Dec,which was consistent with members of the study group consuming fruits of these species mostly at these times.To our knowledge,these are the fi rst records of seeds in the fecal samples of colobines.Even if colobines pass relatively few seeds intact,their high abundance and biomass could make them quantitatively significant in seed dispersal.The potential role of colobines as seed dispersers should be considered by colobine researchers.
