Exploratory analysis reveals arthropod consumption in 10 lemur species using DNA metabarcoding

Area of Science:

• Primate Ecology
• Molecular Ecology
• Zoology

Background:

• Arthropods are nutritionally vital for primates, supplying proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Limited knowledge exists on the frequency and importance of arthropod consumption across many primate species.
• Traditional dietary analysis methods (observation, fecal dissection) lack taxonomic resolution, underestimating prey diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To inventory arthropod prey diversity in wild lemur diets using DNA metabarcoding.
• To assess the frequency and diversity of arthropod consumption across lemur species in Madagascar.
• To identify novel arthropod prey items and species previously undocumented in lemur diets.

Main Methods:

• DNA metabarcoding of the CO1 gene from lemur fecal samples.
• Opportunistic sample collection from 10 lemur species across three national parks in southern Madagascar.
• Utilized focal animal follows and live trapping for sample acquisition.

Main Results:

• Arthropod DNA was detected in 98 out of 170 analyzed fecal samples.
• All studied lemur species consumed arthropods, with the Cheirogaleidae family showing the highest consumption frequency and diversity.
• Identified 32 new arthropod families as probable lemur food items, including first-time documented consumption for Phaner pallescens, Avahi peyrierasi, and Propithecus verreauxi.

Conclusions:

• Arthropods represent a significant and diverse nutritional component of lemur diets.
• DNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool for accurately assessing animal diets and uncovering previously unknown prey diversity.
• This research highlights the importance of arthropods in lemur nutrition and conservation strategies.