Data from: Investigating cat predation as the cause of bat wing tears using forensic DNA analysis

Cat predation upon bat species has been reported to have significant
effects on bat populations in both rural and urban areas. The majority of
research in this area has focussed on observational data from bat
rehabilitators documenting injuries, and cat owners, when domestic cats
present prey. However, this has the potential to underestimate the number
of bats killed or injured by cats. Here, we use forensic DNA analysis
techniques to analyse swabs taken from injured bats in the United Kingdom,
mainly including Pipistrellus pipistrellus (40 out of 72 specimens). Using
quantitative PCR, cat DNA was found in two-thirds of samples submitted by
bat rehabilitators. Of these samples, short tandem repeat analysis
produced partial DNA profiles for approximately one-third of samples,
which could be used to link predation events to individual cats. The use
of genetic analysis can complement observational data, and potentially
provide additional information to give a more accurate estimation of cat
predation.