Understanding Diets Through Metabarcoding

We are using advanced metabarcoding analyses to gain new insights into the diets of individual animals. By analysing genetic markers, this method allows us to identify both vertebrate and plant-based food sources consumed by each individual.

Our research is based on scat samples, a non-invasive and highly informative source of DNA. These samples provide both an individual genetic profile and a snapshot of recent dietary habits, helping us better understand feeding behaviour without disturbing the animals.

Using this approach, we will explore dietary patterns in two key regions:

• Croatia: We will compare the diets of wolves and wolf–dog admixed individuals identified in and around the Dalmatia region over the past decade, to assess whether there are detectable differences in their food choices.

• Slovenia: We will examine wolf diets before and after mitigation measures aimed at reducing access to human-related food sources, to evaluate how these actions may have influenced diet over time.

Together, these analyses will contribute to a deeper understanding of how diet varies across regions, individuals, and management strategies, supporting more informed conservation and wildlife management decisions.