Molecular scatology to assess and compare diet composition in two sympatric felid species: puma (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus) –Samia Carrillo-Percastegui, MS 2009

This thesis study used molecular genetic methods to studying diet of pumas (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus) in southwestern Arizona. 123 scats were collected in Sonora Mexico for DNA extraction and predator species ID. Three bone fragments were obtained from each scat and DNA isolated sequencing for prey species ID.
Using mtDNA cytB primers for PCR and sequencing, Predator DNA was isolated from 35 puma scats and 21 bobcat scats. From those, prey DNA was isolated from bones found in 21 puma scats and 9 bobcat scats. Eleven prey items were identified in the puma diet and five in the bobcat diet. Genetic analyses of bones found in scats proofed to be an effective method for identifying prey items to species-level giving very accurate and reliable results.