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DNA metabarcoding analysis discloses important roles and links in the seabird's trophic network of the Eastern Tropical Atlantic
  • +13
  • Ana Rita Carreiro,
  • Jaime Ramos,
  • Vanessa Mata,
  • Nathalie Almeida,
  • Isabel Rodrigues,
  • Ivo dos Santos,
  • Diana Matos,
  • Pedro Araújo,
  • Sarah Saldanha,
  • Herculano Dinis,
  • Andreia Leal,
  • Fernando Medrano,
  • Teresa Militão,
  • Jacob Gonzales-Solis,
  • Vitor Paiva,
  • Ricardo Lopes
Ana Rita Carreiro
University of Coimbra

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jaime Ramos
University of Coimbra
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Vanessa Mata
Universidade do Porto
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Nathalie Almeida
Biosfera Cabo Verde
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Isabel Rodrigues
Biosfera Cabo Verde
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Ivo dos Santos
University of Coimbra
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Diana Matos
University of Coimbra
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Pedro Araújo
University of Coimbra
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Sarah Saldanha
Universitat de Barcelona
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Herculano Dinis
Associação Projecto Vitó
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Andreia Leal
Associação Projecto Vitó
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Fernando Medrano
Universitat de Barcelona
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Teresa Militão
Universitat de Barcelona
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Jacob Gonzales-Solis
Universitat de Barcelona
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Vitor Paiva
University of Coimbra
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Ricardo Lopes
Universidade do Porto
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Abstract

Predator-prey interactions provide key information on the role of each species in the community and an overall assessment of the stability of food webs. DNA metabarcoding has the potential to provide highly informative data which substantially enhance trophic interactions analysis, by providing higher taxonomic detail compared to earlier methods. Here we show, using the Cabo Verde seabird community, that the integrated analysis of trophic networks based on DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples can increase considerably our understanding of the trophic interactions in whole communities. Results revealed that these seabird species prey mostly on fish, with most seabirds relying heavily on very few prey species, which are also targeted by fisheries. This community shows high specialization and modularity levels, i.e., is dominated by seabird species with specialized diets. Such network structure has implications for its management and conservation because specialist predators are especially vulnerable to prey depletion. The Cape Verde shearwater (Calonectris edwardsii), identified as the main network connector species, was confirmed to be a suitable sentinel species of changes in this marine food web. Our results clearly show that network analysis can be used effectively to maximize the potential of DNA metabarcoding in studying trophic interactions of complex communities.