Environmental DNA metabarcoding uncovers environmental correlates of fish communities in spatially heterogeneous freshwater habitats

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107698
• Publication Date: 2021-04-25T15:57:49Z
• Authors: Petr Blabolil; Lynsey R. Harper; Štěpánka Říčanová; Graham Sellers; Cristina Di Muri; Tomáš Jůza; Mojmír Vašek; Zuzana Sajdlová; Pavel Rychtecký; Petr Znachor; Josef Hejzlar; Jiří Peterka; Bernd Hänfling
• Keywords: Environmental DNA; DNA Barcoding

Biomonitoring of complex heterogeneous environments is highly challenging. Fish in deep water bodies occupy different habitats, so a combination survey methods has traditionally been used. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding novel monitoring tool that can overcome spatial heterogeneity sensitive and entirely non-invasive manner. However, taxon detection probability dependent on environmental variables. In this study, three reservoirs were sampled two seasons using spatiotemporally distributed sampling design covering major gradients. all campaigns, 31 fish taxa detected. Data reliability was supported by tight positive correlations between individual scores derived from gillnet eDNA site occupancy. Analyses confirmed anticipated trends, such as the highest number largest body, more inflows littoral regions compared to open water. The most important factors for distribution temperature, age trophic status (expressed total Chlorophyll concentration) bodies. Taxon reflected ecological niches species, e.g. warm wels catfish (Silurus glanis) cold salmonids. This study provides further evidence suitable alternative or complement conventional reservoirs.