SYDNEY, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- An Australian researcher has used advanced DNA analysis of deer feces to uncover new insights into the diet of invasive chital deer harming northern Australia's agricultural landscapes.
Originally introduced in 1886 with just four individuals, the chital deer population expanded to approximately 44,000 by 2014, causing concern over their impact on agriculture and ecosystems, according to a statement released Wednesday by Australia's James Cook University (JCU).
JCU PhD candidate Matthew Quin led a two-year DNA metabarcoding study of 149 deer fecal samples, revealing new insights into chital deer feeding habits.
Non-native species invasions are a leading cause of extinctions and major drivers of ecosystem change, Quin said.
"Invasive, plant-eating ungulates (hoofed mammals) can reduce vegetation biomass and alter nutrient cycles, which can negatively impact other native herbivores and ecosystems," he added.
The study showed that, contrary to earlier beliefs that chital primarily consume grasses and grass-like plants during the wet season, their diet is dominated year-round by tree foliage and shrubs in the tropical savanna landscapes of northern Australia.
This discovery suggests that competition between chital and livestock such as cattle for pasture may be less severe than previously assumed, as the deer mainly feed on trees and shrubs.
The research highlights the value of DNA metabarcoding in quickly and accurately identifying dietary components in chital deer than older methods, and supports efforts to manage the expanding chital population in Australia's tropical savannas. ■
