Open AccessInvestigating cat predation as the cause of bat wing tears using forensic DNA analysis
Author(s) -
Khayat Rana O. S.,
Grant Robyn A.,
Ryan Hazel,
Melling Louise M.,
Dougill Gary,
Killick David R.,
Shaw Kirsty J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.6544
Subject(s) - predation , biology , cats , zoology , str analysis , microsatellite , dna profiling , genetic analysis , ecology , dna , genetics , gene , medicine , allele
Abstract Cat predation upon bat species has been reported to have significant effects on bat populations in both rural and urban areas. The majority of research in this area has focussed on observational data from bat rehabilitators documenting injuries, and cat owners, when domestic cats present prey. However, this has the potential to underestimate the number of bats killed or injured by cats. Here, we use forensic DNA analysis techniques to analyze swabs taken from injured bats in the United Kingdom, mainly including Pipistrellus pipistrellus (40 out of 72 specimens). Using quantitative PCR, cat DNA was found in two‐thirds of samples submitted by bat rehabilitators. Of these samples, short tandem repeat analysis produced partial DNA profiles for approximately one‐third of samples, which could be used to link predation events to individual cats. The use of genetic analysis can complement observational data and potentially provide additional information to give a more accurate estimation of cat predation.