Methods

 

Data collection and analysis: Pika faeces, yak faeces, vegetation samples, photograph images and video recordings were obtained from 3 sites on the Tibetan plateau (approximate coordinates:  N 37 25’ 59.9”, E 100 29’ 34.0 at elevation 3200m) by Professor John Speakman during the months of February, June and November 2010.


The samples, images and video recordings were returned to Aberdeen University where they were processed and analysed.


  1. Bullet Analysed video footage to:

                       --> monitor behavioural changes

                       --> did the pika hoard food ??

                       --> did the pika consume yak faeces ??


  1. Bullet  Carbon/Nitrogen isotope analysis

--> found out the isotopic ratio of carbon13 and nitrogen 15 in pika 

      faeces, vegetation samples and yak faeces samples using a  mass   spectrometer


                         -->  diet same in winter and summer?

                          --> consumed yak faeces?


  1. Bullet  Photograph analysis

                        -->  observed vegetation surrounding burrows

                              using image analysis program ImageJ

                        -->  determined diet choice


  1. Bullet  DNA analysis

                       -->  created method to test for yak DNA in pika    

                              stomach contents

                       --> Extracted yak DNA and created primers

                      



Statistical analysis: Chi square tests in Minitab15 were used to test for significant differences in observed behaviours of the plateau pika during February and June.


ANOVA (General Linear Model) was used in Minitab15 to analyse the effect of month on carbon13 values.