A molecular approach to identify prey of the southern rock lobster

• Published in: Bulletin of entomological research Vol. 98; no. 3; pp. 233 - 238
• Main Authors: Redd, K.S., Jarman, S.N., Frusher, S.D., Johnson, C.R.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Centrostephanus rodgersii; Deoxyribonucleic acid; detection; Diet; DNA; DNA - analysis; Echinoidea; feces; Feces - chemistry; Fisheries; Food Chain; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastropoda - classification; Gastropoda - genetics; Haliotis; Haliotis rubra; Heliocidaris erythrogramma; Ingestion; Jasus edwardsii; lobsters; Methods; Molecular biology; Palinuridae - physiology; polymerase chain reaction; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); predation; predator-prey relationships; Prey; prey detection; prey identification; Protozoa. Invertebrata; rock lobster diet; Rocks; Scuba & skin diving; Sea Urchins - classification; Sea Urchins - genetics; Studies; Jasus edwardsii; rock lobster diet; Haliotis rubra; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); prey detection; Echinodermata; Identification; Gastropoda; Macrura; Crustacea; Marine environment; Investigation method; Echinoidea; Decapoda; Feces; Prey; Polymerase chain reaction; Non destructive method; Diet; Arthropoda; DNA; Predator; Technique; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Centrostephanus rodgersii
• ISSN: 0007-4853; 1475-2670
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007485308005981

We demonstrate the use of molecular techniques to detect specific prey consumed by the southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii). A quick and non-lethal method was used to collect rock lobster faecal material and a molecular protocol was employed to isolate prey DNA from faecal samples. The isolated DNA was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with PCR primers designed to target specific prey items. Feeding experiments determined that DNA from black-lipped abalone (Haliotis rubra) and sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii and Heliocidaris erythrogramma) can be detected in rock lobster faecal samples within seven hours and remains present for up to 60 h after ingestion.