Diet Analysis

Diet is an important factor underlying health and survivorship, population growth and stability. Analysis of diet can provide crucial information for monitoring and restoration efforts for rare and endangered species, track native fish consumption by invasive species, or monitor the diet of important sport fisheries.  Traditional sampling methods such as microscopy of gut contents to identify food sources have limited sensitivity. Amplicon sequencing of stomach contents using “next generation” sequencing uses a set of genetic barcodes to amplify all contributing components in a DNA sample (stomach content) at one time providing a more complete assessment of consumed prey items. Diet analysis of imperiled species may highlight that traditional prey sources are less available and potentially less nutritious sources are being utilized.  Diet analysis of invasive fish species may show targeting of imperiled species and highlighting another risk factor they face.