Environmental DNA Metabarcoding Details the Spatial Structure of a Diverse Tropical Fish Assemblage in a Major East African River System DOI Creative Commons
Asilatu Shechonge, Rupert A. Collins, Sophie L. Ward

et al.

Environmental DNA, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(5)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Management and conservation of species‐rich tropical freshwater systems require reliable information on the diversity distribution species present. Here, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to reveal fishes in Rufiji River catchment central Tanzania. Across 174 samples from 49 sites, using a newly developed reference library, mapped presence 66 fish an estimated 91 that are confident present system. We found clear evidence community structuring assemblage linked key gradients—elevation, temperature, turbidity. also identified core distributions rare or threatened taxa, including migratory such as anguillid eels. With focused analysis 50 collected over small spatial scale (<2 km) Kilombero River, showed each single sample can capture average 23.1 species, while three 39.4 total 56 encountered samples. Collectively results help identify vulnerable ongoing change catchment, dam construction agricultural intensification. The clearly demonstrate how eDNA‐based reliably describe riverine across providing standardized will be valuable for management.

Language: Английский

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding Details the Spatial Structure of a Diverse Tropical Fish Assemblage in a Major East African River System DOI Creative Commons
Asilatu Shechonge, Rupert A. Collins, Sophie L. Ward

et al.

Environmental DNA, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(5)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT Management and conservation of species‐rich tropical freshwater systems require reliable information on the diversity distribution species present. Here, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to reveal fishes in Rufiji River catchment central Tanzania. Across 174 samples from 49 sites, using a newly developed reference library, mapped presence 66 fish an estimated 91 that are confident present system. We found clear evidence community structuring assemblage linked key gradients—elevation, temperature, turbidity. also identified core distributions rare or threatened taxa, including migratory such as anguillid eels. With focused analysis 50 collected over small spatial scale (<2 km) Kilombero River, showed each single sample can capture average 23.1 species, while three 39.4 total 56 encountered samples. Collectively results help identify vulnerable ongoing change catchment, dam construction agricultural intensification. The clearly demonstrate how eDNA‐based reliably describe riverine across providing standardized will be valuable for management.

Language: Английский

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