Canberra, Aug. 7 -- An Australian researcher has used advanced DNa analysis of deer feces to gather new insights into the diet of invasive chital deer harming northern Australia's agricultural landscapes.
Originally introduced in 1886 with just four individuals, the chital deer population expanded to approximately 44,000 by 2014, causing concern over their impact on agriculture and ecosystems, according to a statement released by Australia's James Cook University (JCU).
JCU PhD candidate Matthew Quin led a two-year DNA metabarcoding study of 149 deer fecal samples, revealing new insights into chital deer feeding habits.
Non-native species invasions are a leading cause of extinctions and major drivers of ecosystem change, Quin sa...