Microscopic Analysis of Herbivore Diets - a Problem and a Solution

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Norbury
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Relative Area ◽  
Plant Fragment ◽  
Point Quadrat ◽  
Conversion Equation ◽  
Microscopic Techniques ◽  
Quadrat Analysis

Three microscopic techniques are commonly used to score the relative abundance of types of plant epidermis in the diet of herbivores: 1 frequency of occurrence; 2 the number; and 3 the area covered by different fragment types. A survey of the literature indicates that the relative area of fragments, determined by point quadrat analysis, is the most precise means of diet analysis. However, none of these techniques can identify every plant fragment. I describe an experiment that shows that the proportion of the unidentifiable component varies between four plant species, indicating that diet descriptions based only on identifiable tissue are unreliable. By knowing the proportion of identifiable tissue for each species, a conversion equation may be calculated that significantly improves point frequencies when compared with known dry weights. The techniques of point quadrat analysis and converted point frequencies may provide accurate estimates of relative abundance of other plant species in samples of herbivore diets.

A Comparison of Stomach and Fecal Samples for Diet Analysis of Grey Kangaroos

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Norbury
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Stomach Content Analysis ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Differential Digestion ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Species Proportions

In an experiment with four captive eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus, microscopic analysis of both stomach contents and faeces did not reflect the ingested dry weight proportion of most plant species in a fed diet. However, close agreement was obtained by correcting for unidentifiable microscopic fragments of plants. This suggests that differential digestion may not be as important an artefact of microscopic diet analysis as previously reported. Provided corrections are made, faecal analysis may be as reliable as stomach content analysis for describing relative proportions of plant species in the diet of macropodids. In contrast, differences in proportions of plant species between stomach and faecal samples from free-ranging western grey kangaroos, Macropus fuliginosus, suggest that faecal analysis may not be suitable for quantitative studies of diet selection (comparisons of plant species proportions in the diet with species proportions in the field) in areas with heterogeneous vegetation. In these situations, samples of stomach contents are considered more appropriate.

scholarly journals Geographic source estimation using airborne plant environmental DNA in dust

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Lennartz ◽  
Joel Kurucar ◽  
Stephen Coppola ◽  
Janice Crager ◽  
Johanna Bobrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Dust Sample ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Settled Dust ◽  
Great Utility

AbstractInformation obtained from the analysis of dust, particularly biological particles such as pollen, plant parts, and fungal spores, has great utility in forensic geolocation. As an alternative to manual microscopic analysis of dust components, we developed a pipeline that utilizes the airborne plant environmental DNA (eDNA) in settled dust to estimate geographic origin. Metabarcoding of settled airborne eDNA was used to identify plant species whose geographic distributions were then derived from occurrence records in the USGS Biodiversity in Service of Our Nation (BISON) database. The distributions for all plant species identified in a sample were used to generate a probabilistic estimate of the sample source. With settled dust collected at four U.S. sites over a 15-month period, we demonstrated positive regional geolocation (within 600 km2 of the collection point) with 47.6% (20 of 42) of the samples analyzed. Attribution accuracy and resolution was dependent on the number of plant species identified in a dust sample, which was greatly affected by the season of collection. In dust samples that yielded a minimum of 20 identified plant species, positive regional attribution was achieved with 66.7% (16 of 24 samples). For broader demonstration, citizen-collected dust samples collected from 31 diverse U.S. sites were analyzed, and trace plant eDNA provided relevant regional attribution information on provenance in 32.2% of samples. This showed that analysis of airborne plant eDNA in settled dust can provide an accurate estimate regional provenance within the U.S., and relevant forensic information, for a substantial fraction of samples analyzed.

THE NATURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SALTS IN UNCULTIVATED SALINE SOILS IN SASKATCHEWAN

1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Dodd ◽  
R. T. Coupland ◽  
D. A. Rennie
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Central Portion ◽  
Saline Soils ◽  
Magnesium Ions ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Upland Soil ◽  
Native Plant Species

Investigations were undertaken to ascertain the relative abundance of various salts in uncultivated saline soils occurring in southern Saskatchewan. Sampling sites were selected within areas dominated by various native plant species and groups of species. One hundred and nineteen saline profiles in the Brown, Dark Brown, and Black soil zones were studied and classified into five subgroup profile types, which were usually associated in a catenary sequence. The Saline Gleyed Regosol occupied the central portion of depressional areas, followed successively by the Saline Gleysol, and the Saline Meadow, with the Saline Calcareous Chernozem occupying the perimeter of the depression and the Saline Rego Chernozem being transitional to upland soil. Nine species which commonly form extensive stands were associated in their distribution with these subgroup profile types. Analytical data from saturation extracts of samples taken from the 0–6, 6–12, 12–24, and 24–36 in. depths are discussed with reference to concentration and composition. With one exception, all samples showed a preponderance of sodium and magnesium ions. Soluble sodium percentages in extreme cases exceeded 90%. Sulphates, chlorides, and bicarbonates were present in practically all samples. While sulphate was the predominant anion, significant quantities of chlorides and bicarbonates were present in all profiles.

scholarly journals Plant dominance in a subalpine montane meadow: biotic vs. abiotic controls of subordinate diversity within and across sites

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika LaPlante ◽  
Lara Souza
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Removal Experiment ◽  
Plant Removal ◽  
Montane Meadow

Background Understanding the underlying factors that determine the relative abundance of plant species is critical to predict both biodiversity and ecosystem function. Biotic and abiotic factors can shape the distribution and the relative abundance of species across natural communities, greatly influencing local biodiversity. Methods Using a combination of an observational study and a five-year plant removal experiment we: (1) documented how plant diversity and composition of montane meadow assemblages vary along a plant dominance gradient using an observational study; (2) tracked above- and belowground functional traits of co-dominant plant species Potentilla and Festuca along a plant dominance gradient in an observational study; (3) determined whether plant species diversity and composition was directly influenced by commonly occurring species Potentilla and Festuca with the use of a randomized plot design, 5-year plant removal experiment (no removal control, Potentilla removed, Festuca removed, n = 10). Results We found that subordinate species diversity and compositional dissimilarity were greatest in Potentilla and Festuca co-dominated sites, where neither Potentilla nor Festuca dominated, rather than at sites where either species became dominant. Further, while above- and belowground plant functional traits varied along a dominance gradient, they did so in a way that inconsistently predicted plant species relative abundance. Also, neither variation in plant functional traits of Festuca and Potentilla nor variation in resources and conditions (such as soil nitrogen and temperature) explained our subordinate diversity patterns. Finally, neither Potentilla nor Festuca influenced subordinate diversity or composition when we directly tested for their impacts in a plant removal experiment. Discussion Taken together, patterns of subordinate diversity and composition were likely driven by abiotic factors rather than biotic interactions. As a result, the role of abiotic factors influencing local-level species interactions can be just as important as biotic interactions themselves in structuring plant communities.

scholarly journals Assessment of Vegetation Structure of the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Habitat in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1401-1408
Author(s):  
I.M. Goni ◽  
E.A. Agbelusi ◽  
B.G. Ogunjemite ◽  
O.K. Azeez ◽  
A.A. Ogunjinmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
National Park ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
African Buffalo ◽  
Syncerus Caffer ◽  
Kainji Lake

The study assessed the relative abundance and vegetation structure of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) including plant parameters: frequency, diameter at breast height (dbh), tree height, diversity, evenness, richness, Margalef, dominance in Kainji Lake National Park. Point – Centered Quarter method was used for woody species enumeration. A total of twenty-eight (28) randomly sampled plots of 150m by 100m given 112 points per plot were established in the study area. The abundance and distribution, tree frequencies, heights, dbh and plant biodiversity indices were calculated using the Paleontological Statistics Software (PAST) for scientific data analysis. The results revealed that relative abundance of African buffalo in both morning and evening of dry and wet seasons in various habitats of the Park were 13.33 ± 4.41 and 11.33 ± 4.40 respectively. The study showed the highest mean value of 21.75 ± 6.94 representing 87 individuals in dry season compared to wet season with mean value of 15.25 ± 5.11 representing 61 individuals. A total of 91 woody plant species and 29 tree families were recorded in African buffalo habitats representing 80, 77, 68 and 59 tree species respectively. The highest average girth size of tree species was class between >10cm -50cm with 59.14 ± 4.06 and the highest mean tree height was height class of >3 - 10m with 91.43 ± 5.44. There were significant differences at (p<0.05) between the values of dbh, tree height, diversity, richness and evenness of plant species recorded in different habitats studied in the Park.

scholarly journals Dominance across montane meadows: Patterns and processes structuring plant communities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika LaPlante ◽  
Lara Souza
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Removal Experiment ◽  
Plant Removal

Background. Understanding the underlying factors that determine the relative abundance of plant species is critical to predict both biodiversity and ecosystem function. Biotic and abiotic factors can shape the distribution and the relative abundance of species across natural communities, greatly influencing local biodiversity. Methods. Using a combination of an observational study and a five-year plant removal experiment we: (1) documented how plant diversity and composition of montane meadow assemblages vary along a plant dominance gradient using an observational study; (2) tracked above- and belowground functional traits of co-dominant plant species Potentilla and Festuca along a plant dominance gradient in an observational study; (3) determined whether plant species diversity and composition was directly influenced by commonly occurring species Potentilla and Festuca with the use of a randomized plot design, 5-year plant removal experiment (no removal control, Potentilla removed, Festuca removed, n=10) . Results. We found that subordinate species diversity and compositional dissimilarity were greatest in Potentilla and Festuca co-dominated sites, where neither Potentilla nor Festuca dominated, rather than at sites where either species became dominant. Further, while above- and belowground plant functional traits varied along a dominance gradient, they did so in a way that inconsistently predicted plant species relative abundance. Also, neither variation in plant functional traits of Festuca and Potentilla nor variation in resources and conditions (such as soil nitrogen and temperature) explained our subordinate diversity patterns. Finally, neither Potentilla nor Festuca influenced subordinate diversity or composition when we directly tested for their impacts in a plant removal experiment. Discussion. Taken together, patterns of subordinate diversity and composition were likely driven by abiotic factors rather than biotic interactions. As a result, the role of abiotic factors influencing local-level species interactions can be just as important as biotic interactions themselves in structuring plant communities.

Influence of streamside vegetation on inputs of terrestrial invertebrates to salmonid food webs

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
J David Allan ◽  
Mark S Wipfli ◽  
John P Caouette ◽  
Aaron Prussian ◽  
Joanna Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Food Webs ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Terrestrial Invertebrates ◽  
Water Dispersal ◽  
Direct Sampling

Salmonid food webs receive important energy subsidies via terrestrial in-fall, downstream transport, and spawning migrations. We examined the contribution of terrestrially derived invertebrates (TI) to juvenile coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in streams of southeastern Alaska by diet analysis and sampling of TI inputs in 12 streams of contrasting riparian vegetation. Juvenile coho ingested 12.1 mg·fish–1 of invertebrate mass averaged across all sites; no significant differences associated with location (plant or forest type) were detected, possibly because prey are well mixed by wind and water dispersal. Terrestrial and aquatic prey composed approximately equal fractions of prey ingested. Surface inputs were estimated at ~80 mg·m–2·day–1, primarily TI. Direct sampling of invertebrates from the stems of six plant species demonstrated differences in invertebrate taxa occupying different plant species and much lower TI biomass per stem for conifers compared with overstory and understory deciduous plants. Traps placed under red alder (Alnus rubra) and conifer (mix of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)) canopies consistently captured higher biomass of TI under the former. Management of riparian vegetation is likely to influence the food supply of juvenile coho and the productivity of stream food webs.

scholarly journals Assessment of stallion semen morphology using two different staining methods, microscopic techniques, and sample sizes

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Łącka ◽  
Stanisław Kondracki ◽  
Maria Iwanina ◽  
Anna Wysokińska
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Staining Method ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Morphology Analysis ◽  
Morphological Defects ◽  
Staining Methods ◽  
Microscopic Techniques ◽  
Semen Morphology

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to propose the optimal methodology for stallion semen morphology analysis while taking into consideration the staining method, the microscopic techniques, and the workload generated by a number of samples. Material and Methods: Ejaculates from eight pure-bred Arabian horses were tested microscopically for the incidence of morphological defects in the spermatozoa. Two different staining methods (eosin-nigrosin and eosin-gentian dye), two different techniques of microscopic analysis (1000× and 400× magnifications), and two sample sizes (200 and 500 spermatozoa) were used. Results: Well-formed spermatozoa and those with major and minor defects according to Blom’s classification were identified. The applied staining methods gave similar results and could be used in stallion sperm morphology analysis. However, the eosin-nigrosin method was more recommendable, because it allowed to limit the number of visible artefacts without hindering the identification of protoplasm drops and enables the differentiation of living and dead spermatozoa. Conclusion: The applied microscopic techniques proved to be equally efficacious. Therefore, it is practically possible to opt for the simpler and faster 400x technique of analysing sperm morphology to examine stallion semen. We also found that the number of spermatozoa clearly affects the results of sperm morphology evaluation. Reducing the number of spermatozoa from 500 to 200 causes a decrease in the percentage of spermatozoa identified as normal and an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa determined as morphologically defective.

scholarly journals Estimation of Geographic Origin from Dust Using Plant DNA Metabarcoding

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Lennartz ◽  
Joel Kurucar ◽  
Stephen Coppola ◽  
Janice Crager ◽  
Johanna Bobrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Dust Sample ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Great Utility ◽  
Previous Sample

Abstract Information obtained from the analysis of dust, particularly biological particles such as pollen, plant parts, and fungal spores, has great utility in forensic geolocation. As an alternative to manual microscopic analysis, we developed a pipeline that utilizes the environmental DNA (eDNA) from plants in dust samples to estimate previous sample location(s). The species of plant-derived eDNA within dust samples were identified using metabarcoding and their geographic distributions were then derived from occurrence records in the USGS Biodiversity in Service of Our Nation (BISON) database. The distributions for all plant species identified in a sample were used to generate a probabilistic estimate of the sample source. With settled dust collected at four U.S. sites over a 15-month period, we demonstrated positive regional geolocation (within 600 km 2 of the collection point) with 47.6% (20 of 42) of the samples analyzed. Attribution accuracy and resolution was dependent on the number of plant species identified in a dust sample, which was greatly affected by the season of collection. In dust samples that yielded a minimum of 20 identified plant species, positive regional attribution improved to 66.7% (16 of 24 samples). Using dust samples collected from 31 different U.S. sites, trace plant eDNA provided relevant regional attribution information on provenance in 32.2%. This demonstrated that analysis of plant eDNA in dust can provide an accurate estimate regional provenance within the U.S., and relevant forensic information, for a substantial fraction of samples analyzed.

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