Effectiveness of eDNA for monitoring riverine macroinvertebrates

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173621
• Publication Date: 2024-05-28T19:39:24Z
• Authors: Imogen P. Poyntz-...; Xavier A. Harrison; Siffreya Pedersen; Charles R. Tyler
• Keywords: Morphology; 570; Monitoring; eDNA; Riverine; Invertebrates; 630

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a technique increasingly used for monitoring organisms in the natural environment including riverine macroinvertebrates. However, effectiveness of eDNA macroinvertebrates compared with more traditional method sampling directly and identifying them via morphological analysis, has not been well established. Furthermore, ability various gene markers PCR primer sets to detect full range invertebrate taxa quantified. Here we conducted meta-analysis available literature, assess detecting applying analysis. We found, on average, sampling, irrespective marker used, detected fewer invertebrates than sampling. The most effective set was mlCOIintF/jgHCO2198, (mlCOIintF- forward primer, jgHCO2198, - reverse primer). Regardless or however, many were by metabarcoding that these invertebrates, over 100 members Arthropoda. failed any species belonging Nematoda, Platyhelminthes, Cnidaria Nematomorpha applied terrestrial systems also do Nematoda. In addition issues, uncertainties relating false positives from upstream sources, stability different species, differences propensity release into organisms, lack sequence information numerous illustrates use yet applicable as robust stand-alone invertebrates. As primary consideration, further methodological developments are needed ensure captures some key freshwater taxa, notably phyla Arthropoda, Nematomorpha.