Data Sheet 1_Dietary plasticity of black rats (Rattus rattus) and its implications for com

Cristian Bonacic's research dataset investigates the diet of invasive black rats (Rattus rattus) and its overlap with native small mammals in protected temperate forests of southern Chile. The study, conducted over three consecutive winters from 2022 to 2025, analyzed 165 fecal samples pooled into 26 groups for metabarcoding using a multi-marker strategy (trnL, COI, 16S). Dietary breadth and overlap were quantified, revealing black rats consumed 37 plant families, 9 arthropod orders, and eight vertebrate families, including native species.

Use Cases

• Modeling invasive species dietary niche breadth based on the identified 37 plant families, 9 arthropod orders, and eight vertebrate families.
• Quantifying trophic overlap between invasive and native species using Pianka's and Jaccard indices mentioned in the description.
• Analyzing inter-individual variation in diet to assess reliance on anthropogenic subsidies versus native resources.
• Assessing competitive pressure and predation risk on native small mammals in temperate rainforests based on dietary overlap metrics.

Strengths

• Dietary data spans three consecutive winters (2022-2025), providing multi-year seasonal coverage.
• Analysis includes 165 fecal samples and uses a multi-marker metabarcoding strategy (trnL, COI, 16S) for taxonomic identification.
• Quantitative overlap metrics (Pianka's index, Jaccard similarity) are provided for plants and arthropods at different taxonomic levels.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Results are interpreted at the pool level (26 pools), not the individual sample level, limiting granularity.

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Fecal sample collection and metabarcoding analysis of pooled extracts.

Time Range

Three consecutive winters between 2022 and 2025.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-14 05:38:38; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Protected areas of the temperate forests of southern Chile.