Data from: Carnivore diet analysis based on next-generation sequencing: application to the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Pakistan

Diet analysis is a prerequisite to fully understand the biology of a
species and the functioning of ecosystems. For carnivores, traditional
diet analyses mostly rely upon the morphological identification of
undigested remains in the feces. Here, we developed a methodology for
carnivore diet analyses based on next generation sequencing. We applied
this approach to the analysis of the vertebrate component of leopard cat
diet in two ecologically distinct regions in northern Pakistan. Despite
being a relatively common species with a wide distribution in Asia, little
is known about this elusive predator. We analyzed a total of 38 leopard
cat feces. After a classical DNA extraction, the DNA extracts were
amplified using primers for vertebrates targeting about 100 bp of the
mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene, with and without a blocking oligonucleotide
specific to the predator sequence. The amplification products were then
sequenced on a next generation sequencer. We identified a total of 18 prey
taxa, including eight mammals, eight birds, one amphibian, and one fish.
In general, our results confirmed that the leopard cat has a very eclectic
diet, and feeds mainly on rodents, and particularly on the Muridae family.
The DNA-based approach we propose here represents a valuable complement to
current conventional methods. It can be applied to other carnivore species
with only a slight adjustment relating to the design of the blocking
oligonucleotide. It is robust, simple to implement, and allows the
possibility of very large-scale analyses.