Multi-omic sequencing of deep-snow caribou fecal samples
We performed 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, fungal ITS2, and plant ITS2 gene amplicon sequencing of fecal samples from caribou to assess the degree of diet and microbiome specialization in deep-snow mountain caribou in British Columbia, as well as whether diet or microbiome are altered by maternity penning. This information could inform conservation and stewardship efforts for an endangered ecotype of an already endangered, iconic Canadian species. Samples come from six herds of deep-snow mountain caribou in British Columbia, two herds of shallow-snow mountain caribou in Jasper National Park, fifteen caribou from the Revelstoke maternity pen, and thirteen semi-domesticated reindeer from the Large Animal Research Station in Alaska.