Decoding predator diet using DNA metabarcoding for better assessment and conservation of threatened migratory species
PI:
PI: T. Ganesh
Team: Ganesh Rathod, Prashanth M. B. and Arjun Kannan
This project investigates the feeding ecology of migratory harriers, particularly Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, which have undergone significant population declines across their wintering range in India. By characterising their diets across different regions and seasons using fecal DNA metabarcoding, the project aims to understand how prey availability influences raptor ecology, evaluate their role in controlling agricultural pests, and provide insights into the structure and functioning of grassland food webs.