Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a good indicator of fish diversity and distribution in aquatic environments. This study used metabarcoding to assess fish diversity and distribution in two connected ponds during two sampling periods. The eDNA analysis of surface samples displayed differences in the fish communities between the two connected ponds, while within each sampling site the species detected across the two time points were not always the same. These results revealed poor horizontal transport of eDNA between the two connected ponds alongside poor mixing of eDNA for a single pond’s stocked fish. Additionally, water temperature, pH, and total nitrogen were the key environmental factors affecting fish eDNA spatial and temporal distribution. These findings have important implications for designing eDNA sampling strategies in lentic ecosystems; for example, complete fish diversity in a lentic ecosystem cannot be detected by collecting only surface samples and in only one sampling period.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
