qPCR and Predation Genetics: An Alternative to Traditional Visual Diet Analysis

Effects of predation on native fish have not been thoroughly studied due in large part to inherent limitations of traditional stomach content visual analyses. Species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) is accurate and extremely sensitive for identifying DNA from within the diets of putative predators.  Using published DNA barcodes and barcode databases (BOLD, NCBI), dozens of species specific qPCR assays have been designed and are currently in use to detect the presence of DNA from prey species from within the stomach contents and feces of native and introduced aquatic and avian predators. These species specific qPCR assays allow for a direct assessment of predation and its impact on native fishes. This presentation highlights the research and development of qPCR and its use in field studies as a tool available to resource managers and researchers to analyze the stomach contents of predators for the presence of single and multiple prey items simultaneously. Thus, enabling advancements in the study of species interactions.