Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA PrimersMeike Koester 1,2, René Gergs 1,3
1Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, 2Institute of Integrated Natural Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, 3IV 2.5 (Trace Analysis, Artificial Pond and stream system), Federal Environment Agency
Most common gut content analyses of macroinvertebrates are visual. Requiring intense knowledge about morphological diversity of prey organisms, they miss soft bodied prey and, due to strong comminution of prey, are nearly impossible for some organisms, including amphipods. We provide detailed, novel genetic approaches for macroinvertebrate prey identification in the diet of amphipods.
