Describing the diet of the yellowtail parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) using DNA metabarcoding: Partnering with Dr. Rick Nemeth of the University of the Virgin Islands, this study employed DNA metabarcoding with four genetic markers (CO1, 23S, rbcl, and ITS) to examine the diet of Sparisoma rubripinne, revealing both known and previously unidentified prey items. The study found that the parrotfish diet includes algae from Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Phaeophyta, phytoplankton like diatoms and cyanobacteria, native and invasive seagrasses, corals, sponges, juvenile fish, and various gastropods and anemones but with macroalgae (especially Harveylithon coralline algae) being the most frequent dietary item across all locations and seasons. The findings support the hypothesis of a protein-rich diet, highlighting unexpected prey items such as greater pipefish and diverse small crustaceans. Completed 2024. Funded by NSF.

Using DNA metabarcoding to reveal the diet of the invasive lionfish: We employed DNA metabarcoding with next-generation sequencing to enhance understanding of lionfish feeding ecology. By analyzing both digested and undigested stomach contents of 63 lionfish from La Parguera, Puerto Rico, researchers identified 39 fish species from 16 families, including those typically missed by traditional gut content analysis methods. This approach, utilizing a 313 bp region of the COI gene and the Illumina MiSeq platform, significantly improves the ability to detect prey species in advanced stages of digestion, thereby providing valuable insights into the impact of lionfish on native ecosystems. Completed 2016. Funded by FL Sea Grant. Publication.