Koch, Natalie
(2023)
The Application of a New Mass Spectrometry Technique Using Non-Invasive Biological samples for Conservation and Ecology Studies.
PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.
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Abstract
Effective conservation strategies are required to increase biodiversity. More information about a species increases the chances of choosing policies that enhance survival. Many historical population monitoring methods, such as live trapping, were invasive or difficult to implement for particular species or locations. This has led to the development of molecular analysis of non-invasive samples, including faeces. Faecal samples are easy to collect and store; they are a potentially rich source of information and do not require direct observation of the animal. Faecal samples can be used to obtain genetic information, but techniques are labour-intensive and time-consuming, and the abundance of hormones in faecal samples degrades with time. The potential of a new ambient mass spectrometry technique to analyse faecal samples was investigated in this study. Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass spectrometry (REIMS) was developed for medicine to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissue. It was used in food security to determine if the origin of a food source is as advertised. We have shown that REIMS can discriminate different species of rodents. This study aimed to determine the scope of REIMS to differentiate faecal samples of laboratory animals by analysing the sex, maturity and strain of different lab mice. The discrimination ability of REIMS was also explored in captive zoo animals to determine whether REIMS could be used to detect pregnancy. The practicality of REIMS in field studies was tested, and the ability to use REIMS as a method for population monitoring was determined by establishing the species distribution of rodents in multiple field sites. The power of REIMS to distinguish between more subtle differences; sex, maturity, strain and pregnancy; was limited compared to species. The composition of faecal samples did change with storage time, but REIMS could still distinguish between species of samples that had been in the freezer for over two years. REIMS established the species distribution of three rodent species across four field sites. Therefore, REIMS can be used as an additional non-invasive method to aid conservation and ecology studies.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Aug 2023 14:33 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Aug 2023 14:33 |
| DOI: | 10.17638/03170592 |
| Supervisors: |
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| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3170592 |
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