Optimised scat collection protocols for dietary DNA metabarcoding in vertebrates

Samples were collected during three stages of the breeding season: Incubation (Late September 2014), Brood (December 2014) and Chick-rearing (March 2014 and 2015). Scat samples were collected from breeding birds, chicks and non-breeders. 'Breeders' were identified as individuals incubating an egg or attending a chick, whereas 'non-breeders' were usually pairs that had reoccupied the colony and were building new practice nests with no chick present.

Non-breeders in the colony include immature birds that have not yet bred and mature birds of breeding age that did not breed in a particular season (e.g. no partner or insufficient body condition) Details of the molecular methods and synthesis of this data can be found in: McInnes, J.C., Alderman, R., Deagle, B.E. Lea, M-A., Raymond, B. and Jarman, S.N. 2016. Optimised scat collection protocols for dietary DNA metabarcoding in vertebrates.