DNA mini-barcoding of leporids using noninvasive fecal DNA samples and its significance for monitoring an invasive species

Abstract

Introduced in South America at the end of the 19th century, the European hare population has expanded dramatically and now represents a risk to native Brazilian forest rabbits. Monitoring the invasive Lepus europaeus and its coexistence with native Sylvilagus brasiliensis is a challenge that can be efficiently addressed by the use of molecular tools. This work describes a set of primers useful for amplifying three mini-barcodes for the molecular identification of both invasive and native leporid species using degraded fecal DNA. In addition, tests in silico indicate that these mini-barcodes can successfully amplify the DNA sequences of a number of leporids. These mini-barcodes constitute a powerful tool for the monitoring and management of the invasive L. europaeus and the conservation of native rabbits.

Keywords: European hare; conservation; mitochondrial DNA; molecular species identification.

Figure 1

Molecularly identified Lepus europaeus and Sylvilagus brasiliensis samples collected in the studied area. Numbers represent the sample codes. *Shapefile of “Natural vegetation remnants” obtained from Inventário Florestal da Vegetação Natural do Estado de São Paulo (2010)

Figure 2

Fecal pellets molecularly identified as from Lepus europaeus (a) and Sylvilagus brasiliensis (b), highlighting the similarities of size, shape, and color between their feces