Microbial DNA extraction method for avian feces and preen oil from
diverse species
Abstract
As DNA sequencing technology continues to rapidly improve, studies
investigating the microbial communities of host organisms (i.e.,
microbiomes) are becoming not only more popular but also more
financially accessible. Across many taxa, microbiomes can have important
impacts on organismal health and fitness. To evaluate the microbial
community composition of a particular microbiome, microbial DNA must be
successfully extracted. Fecal samples are often easy to collect and are
a good source of gut microbial DNA. Additionally, interest in the avian
preen gland microbiome is rapidly growing, due to the importance of
preen oil for many aspects of avian life. Microbial DNA extractions from
avian fecal and preen oil samples present multiple challenges, however.
Here, we describe a modified PrepMan Ultra Sample Preparation Reagent
microbial DNA extraction method that is less expensive than other
commonly used methodologies and is highly effective for both fecal and
preen oil samples collected from a broad range of avian species. We
expect our method will facilitate microbial DNA extractions from
multiple avian microbiome reservoirs, which have previously proved
difficult and expensive. Our method therefore increases the feasibility
of future studies of avian host microbiomes.