Combining environmental DNA and visual surveys can inform conservation planning for coral reefs

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(17)

Published: April 15, 2024

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has the potential to revolutionize conservation planning by providing spatially and taxonomically comprehensive data on biodiversity ecosystem conditions, but its utility inform design of protected areas remains untested. Here, we quantify whether how identifying priority within coral reef ecosystems differs when information is collected via eDNA analyses or traditional visual census records. We focus 147 reefs in Indonesia's hyper-diverse Wallacea region show large discrepancies allocation spatial species were surveyed with underwater techniques (fishes, corals, algae) (eukaryotes metazoans). Specifically, incidental protection occurred for 55% targets set detected surveys 71% vice versa. This finding supported generally low overlap detection between methods at level, more higher taxonomic ranks. Incomplete reference databases highly diverse reefs, complementary two methods, underscore current need combine different sources maximize representation planning.

Language: Английский

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Putting eDNA to the test: A field comparison of eDNA metabarcoding to established protocols for assessing biodiversity in Missouri's Ozark Highland streams

Environmental DNA, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Aquatic biodiversity monitoring to inform conservation and management efforts in‐stream systems has increasingly begun incorporate environmental DNA (eDNA)‐based sampling methods. We conducted a comparison of eDNA metabarcoding traditional protocol combined seining electrofishing methods assess fish wadeable stream sites in six separate drainages the Ozark Highlands Missouri (USA). The study further focused on headwaters Meramec River, which included 11 seasonal (summer winter). compared estimates diversity across methods, assessed influences water flow (depth, velocity, discharge) season, tested effects method site locality assemblage composition. detected approximately double number species providing higher while maintaining relative ranking sites. detection probabilities were positively associated with depth velocity generally summer than winter but not for all species. Estimated richness was discharge both relationship stronger sampling. Assemblage differences between tributary mainstem attributable small that found predominantly one size category or other, indicating sensitive within‐drainage structure relationships. highlight improved detection, more comprehensive understanding structural dynamics, potential ability integrate data as important benefits encourage use primary collection future assessment programs.

Language: Английский

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Environmental DNA reveals temporal variation in mesophotic reefs of the Humboldt upwelling ecosystems of central Chile: Toward a baseline for biodiversity monitoring of unexplored marine habitats

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Temperate mesophotic reef ecosystems (TMREs) are among the least known marine habitats. Information on their diversity and ecology is geographically temporally scarce, especially in highly productive large upwelling ecosystems. Lack of information remains an obstacle to understanding importance TMREs as habitats, biodiversity reservoirs connections with better-studied shallow reefs. Here, we use environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples characterize community composition central Chilean coast, generating first baseline for monitoring these We analyzed two depths (30 60 m) over four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) at locations approximately 16 km apart. used a panel three metabarcodes, that target all eukaryotes (18S rRNA mitochondrial COI) one specifically targeting fishes (16S rRNA). All panels combined encompassed eDNA assigned 42 phyla, 90 classes, 237 orders, 402 families. The highest family richness was found phyla Arthropoda, Bacillariophyta, Chordata. Overall, similar between but decreased during pattern consistent both locations. Our results indicate structure (composition) communities varied predominantly seasons. further better-resolved fish assemblage compared other visual methods same depths. recovered 19 genera fish, six have also been observed towed underwater videos, while 13 were unique eDNA. discuss potential drivers seasonal differences richness. suggest can provide valuable insights TMRE highlight necessity completing reference databases available this region.

Language: Английский

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Catchment-based sampling of river eDNA integrates terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity of alpine landscapes

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 202(4), P. 699 - 713

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Monitoring of terrestrial and aquatic species assemblages at large spatial scales based on environmental DNA (eDNA) has the potential to enable evidence-based policymaking. The coverage eDNA-based studies varies substantially, ability eDNA metabarcoding capture regional biodiversity remains be assessed; thus, questions about best practices in sampling design entire landscapes remain open. We tested extent which can diversity a region with highly heterogeneous habitat patches across wide elevation gradient for five days through multiple hydrological catchments Swiss Alps. Using peristaltic pumps, we filtered 60 L water sites per catchment total volume 1800 L. an approach focusing vertebrates plants, detected 86 vertebrate taxa spanning 41 families 263 plant 79 ten catchments. For mammals, fishes, amphibians covered some most common according long-term records while including few more rare taxa. found marked turnover among samples from distinct elevational classes indicating that biological signal alpine rivers relatively localised is not aggregated downstream. Accordingly, compositions differed between correlated catchment-level forest grassland cover. Biomonitoring schemes capturing within biologically integrated may pave way toward spatially comprehensive estimation biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Rays in the Shadows: Batoid Diversity, Occurrence, and Conservation Status in Fiji

Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 73 - 73

Published: Jan. 26, 2024

Over recent decades, elasmobranchs (sharks, rays, and skates) have been increasingly recognized among the world’s most threatened marine wildlife, leading to heightened scientific attention. However, batoids (rays are relatively understudied, especially in Large Ocean States of Pacific. This synthesis compiles insights on batoid diversity occurrence Fiji’s waters by integrating a literature review, participatory science programs such as Great Fiji Shark Count (GFSC) Initiative, Projects Abroad (PA), Manta Project (MPF), iNaturalist, along with environmental DNA. Nineteen species from seven families were identified: 19 literature, 12 programs, six eDNA analysis. Notably, this study provides first photographic evidence for bentfin devil ray (Mobula thurstoni, Lloyd, 1908) Fiji. GFSC data indicated highest Western Division, spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus ocellatus, Kuhl, 1823) maskrays (Neotrygon sp.) being observed most. In-person interviews conducted PA provided information wedgefishes potentially sawfishes. MPF records iNaturalist uploads dominated reef manta (M. alfredi, Krefft, 1868), while pink whipray (Pateobatis fai, Jordan Seale, 1906) yielded DNA sequences. Overall, 68.4% face an elevated extinction risk based International Union Conservation Nature Red List criteria. Although caution is warranted older literature-based giant guitarfish (Glaucostegus typus, Anonymous [Bennett], 1830), stingaree (Plesiobatis daviesi, Wallace, 1967), lack sawfish verification, highlights effectiveness combined methodological approach establishing reference point understudied taxon

Language: Английский

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