Assessing riverine fish community diversity and stability by eDNA metabarcoding

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluating river ecosystems are of paramount importance in addressing ecological and environmental challenges. While eDNA (environmental deoxyribonucleic acid)-based method has emerged as a valuable tool for understanding these issues, its application in assessing phylogenetic diversity, community stability, and the identification of key species within river systems has been limited. In this study, we conducted eDNA metabarcoding to assess fish community phylogenetic diversity, species composition, assembly variations, and their relationship with hydrologic characteristics. We also explored ecological stability and the roles of key species in a river system comprising a mainstem (MS) and a tributary (TB) with distinct hydrologic features. Our findings uncovered previously unknown endemic fish species diversity, exemplified by the discovery of Triplophysa. We identified disparities in diversity, community composition, and assembly between the MS and TB. Furthermore, we established significant associations between water-level variations, water flow, and changes in community composition. Triplophysa, with its high diversity, played a pivotal role in the ecological network, contributing significantly to community stability. The loss of Triplophysa increased fragility in co-occurrence patterns. Comparing the ecological network of fish communities between the MS and TB, we found that the MS displayed greater robustness and lower vulnerability, with increased species competition likely promoting network stability. Overall, this study highlights the potential of integrating eDNA metabarcoding data for monitoring phylogenetic diversity, community structure, and variations in stability within fish communities.