Genetic methods to detect vertebrate herbivory on Thiem's buckwheat

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Genetic methods to detect vertebrate herbivory on Thiem's buckwheat

Environmental DNA (eDNA) was analyzed from damaged roots of Tiehm’s buckwheat (​Eriogonum tiehmii​), undamaged control root samples taken from undamaged plants, soil tailings adjacent to damaged buckwheat plants, control soil collected from undamaged plants, and rodent scat found near damaged plants. The analysis revealed three genetic signatures of a rodent species belonging to tribe Marmotini, a taxon that includes antelope ground squirrels (​Ammospermophilus​), prairie dogs (​Cynomys​), marmots (​Marmotus​), Chinese rock squirrels (​Sciurotamias​), ground squirrels and rock squirrels (​Spermophilus​), and chipmunks (​Tamias​).

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FWS_Tiehms_eDNA_report_20201111.pdf3.57 MB3.57 MB
Author(s)
Jacqualine Grant, Ph.D.
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Report
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A low growing plant with yellow flowers on a hillside covered in greyish-white rock,

Eriogonum tiehmii is a member of the Polygonaceae (buckwheat family). It is a low growing perennial herb forming a dense compact mat up to 10.8 inches (in; 30 centimeters (cm)) across and 6 in (16 cm) high. Leaves are only at the base of the plant, blueish gray in color, elliptic, and gray...

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