Feathers from museum bird skins - a good source of DNA for phylogenetic studies

Article Abstract:

A protocol for extracting DNA from feathers from the skins of museum birds is described and applied to a Night Parrot specimen. Using this protocol results in minimal damage to skins and reduces the risk of recovering contaminated DNA. Using primers found within the 12s RNA gene in mitchondria and the 28s RNA gene in the nucleus, DNA was successfully amplified, although certain problems were experienced with regions with lengths of over 800 nucleotide pairs. No differences were observed in DNA amounts recovered from specimens with ages ranging from 40 to 120 years.

Research, Genetic aspects, DNA, Phylogeny, Feathers

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Do the contents of barn owl pellets accurately represent the proportion of prey species in the field?

Article Abstract:

The use of the contents of owl pellets to determine the food preferences of owls depends on the assumptions that owls hunt randomly and that the pellets contain random samples of their prey. A new study tests the second assumption using computer simulations. Results show that the contents of barn owl pellets may be an inaccurate representation of the proportion of prey species they hunt and could be biased towards larger prey.

Models, Bird migration, Owls

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Assessing raptor diet: comparing pellets, prey remains, and observational data at Hen Harrier nests

Article Abstract:

Research is presented concerning the evaluation of different techniques which were used as a means of assessing the diet of Hen Harriers at 17 nests. The bias which was found through the different techniques is discussed.

Evaluation, Food and nutrition, Diet, Harriers, Harriers (Birds)

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