Metagenomic sequencing of dung beetle intestinal contents directly detects and identifies mammalian fauna

O_LICost, time, and expertise constraints limit traditional observation-based comprehensive biodiversity assessment. Therefore, surrogate focal taxa representative of wider biodiversity are commonly used as an imperfect proxy. Contemporary biodiversity assessments are also increasingly benefiting from the combination of high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic methodologies that enable identification of environmental DNA samples. However, there is a need for empirical studies combining the use of surrogate taxa with metagenomic approaches, that promise rapid and efficient biodiversity assessment.\nC_LIO_LIWe here tested for the first time the possibility of using the intestinal contents of