Non-Invasive Tool to support Conservation: DNA Metabarcoding of Seychelles Bat Coleura seychellensis.

Bats make up about a quarter of all mammal species, with many facing global threats. Coleura seychellensis, an insect-eating bat from the Microchiroptera suborder, is native to the Seychelles and found only on Silhouette and Mahé islands. Once more widely distributed, it is now classified as Critically Endangered. The main threats to this species include human population growth, which has led to the loss of lowland forests, clearing of coconut plantations, and habitat changes due to invasive plants, all of which have diminished insect populations. These shifts may also have altered the bat's diet. Understanding the feeding habits and ecology of C. seychellensis is essential for assessing its needs, evaluating how food availability impacts its population, and identifying key resources for effective conservation strategies. Diet is crucial in shaping gut microbiota, which in turn affects the health of the host. This study aimed to analyze the fecal samples of C. seychellensis across two seasons to (a) describe the gut microbiota's bacterial and fungal communities and (b) investigate the bat's insectivorous diet. A plastic film was placed under the bat colony in a cave for one day to collect fecal pellets, which were then preserved in DNA/RNA Shield reagent (Zymo). DNA from six pooled samples was extracted using the QIAamp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit (Qiagen). We examined the microbiome and diet of C. seychellensis through DNA metabarcoding of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, the fungal ITS2 region, and the arthropod COI gene. The insights gained from reconstructing the bat's insect-based diet, in conjunction with gut microbial composition, could assist in utilizing and addressing microbiome research for the conservation of endangered species