El ADN de excrementos ayuda a los científicos a proteger al raro potoroo de Gilbert

20 de mayo de 2026

Reportado por IA

Investigadores australianos están utilizando técnicas de ADN ambiental en muestras de heces para identificar hábitats adecuados para el potoroo de Gilbert, una especie en peligro crítico de extinción. El trabajo tiene como objetivo establecer nuevas poblaciones de este marsupial, del cual quedan menos de 150 ejemplares en libertad. El enfoque podría mejorar los esfuerzos de reubicación tras contratiempos previos, incluyendo un gran incendio forestal.

Científicos de la Universidad Edith Cowan y del Departamento de Biodiversidad, Conservación y Atracciones analizaron muestras de excrementos del potoroo de Gilbert y de especies relacionadas. Aplicaron el metabarcoding de ADN ambiental para determinar los hongos que consumen los animales. Este método no invasivo reveló coincidencias dietéticas con quokkas, quendas y ratas de arbusto, lo que ayudó a identificar áreas con recursos alimenticios adecuados para futuros sitios de reubicación.

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