Ecological and biogeographical inferences on two sympatric and enigmatic Andean cat species using genetic identification of faecal samples

Molecular Ecology
Constanza NapolitanoAgustín Iriarte

Abstract

The carnivore community of the altiplano ecosystem of the high Andes, including the Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobita) and pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo), is one of the least studied in the world. We determined the origin of 186 carnivore samples (184 faeces and two skulls) collected above 3000 m above sea level in northern Chile, including 33 from the Andean mountain cat and 75 from the pampas cat using diagnostic molecular genetic sequence variation. We determined for the first time food habits, habitat and physiographic associations, and general patterns of molecular genetic variation of the Andean mountain cat and the pampas cat in Chile. Both species had narrow dietary niches dominated by small rodents and there was a wide overlap in diet composition (0.82), suggesting low levels of prey partitioning between species. The mountain viscacha (Lagidium viscacia) made up a large proportion of the biomass of the diet of both species, especially for the Andean mountain cat (93.9% vs. 74.8% for the pampas cat), underscoring the importance of further research and conservation focus on this vanishing prey species. Although the probability of finding Andean mountain cat scats increased with altitude and slope, there was substa...Continue Reading

References

Oct 27, 1998·Molecular Ecology·M A FrantzenM H Kohn
Jan 27, 1999·Bioinformatics·D Posada, K A Crandall
Oct 26, 2000·Molecular Ecology·L E FarrellM E Sunquist
Nov 1, 2000·Echocardiography·M Schneider
Mar 5, 2004·Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM·Hernan Palma-FlemingElena Gutierrez
Jan 10, 2006·Science·Warren E JohnsonStephen J O'Brien
Jul 1, 1971·Ecology·Robert K Colwell, Douglas J Futuyma

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 8, 2011·Genetica·Marília Bruzzi LionJader Soares Marinho-Filho
May 12, 2010·Forensic Science International. Genetics·R A GrahnL A Lyons
Jun 17, 2011·Molecular Ecology Resources·Fernanda MichalskiEduardo Eizirik
Jul 28, 2018·PloS One·Raissa Prior MiglioriniCarlos Benhur Kasper
Jul 26, 2018·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Talisin T HammondEileen A Lacey
Jul 16, 2020·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Anthony SévêqueAntonio Uzal
Apr 19, 2018·Genetics and Molecular Biology·Anelisie da Silva SantosEduardo Eizirik
Jun 14, 2019·International Journal for Parasitology. Parasites and Wildlife·Talisin T HammondHelen K Pigage

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.