posted on 2022-10-12, 10:04authored byHeather Merrick
This thesis describes two separate investigations: the first involves the use of polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) to separate two cryptic species of bats; the second used PCR combined
with cloning and sequencing to compare the diets of two bat species living in the same attic.
This is the first Irish study to use PCR to analyse the diets of bats and separate between two
cryptic species of pipistrelle bats, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus. Bat droppings
were collected from an attic roost site in Birr, County Offaly and had to be assigned to the
correct pipistrelle species prior to dietary analyses. PCR was carried out using speciesspecific
primers and PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Results from both gel
electrophoresis of PCR products and DNA sequencing indicated the presence of P. pygmaeus
only. Hence, the diets of Plecotus auritus and P. pygmaeus were then compared. Arthropod
specific primers were used in PCR to amplify short fragments (157bp) of generic arthropod
DNA . Successful PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Sequence results showed that
the P. pygmaeus foraged on Diptera (59%), Lepidoptera (36%) and Plecoptera (5%). Plecotus
auritus had a similar diet and foraged on Diptera (53%), Lepidoptera (34%) and Plecoptera
(6%) but also consumed members from the order Coleoptera (6%), and Orthoptera (1%)
which are non-flying orders and may be captured by gleaning. Here it is suggested that the
overlap in dietary habits is due to the abundance of food resources in this area.