Integrating invasive species risk assessment into environmental DNA metabarcoding reference libraries.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Genetics
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding offers a powerful approach for biodiversity assessment and early detection of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems.
• The accuracy of eDNA metabarcoding is contingent upon comprehensive reference libraries, which can be a limitation, particularly for identifying all relevant species in a region.
• The Laurentian Great Lakes present a critical region for studying fish biodiversity and managing invasive species due to ecological and economic significance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of commonly used fish eDNA metabarcoding primer pairs in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
• To identify critical fish species, including established and potential invasive non-indigenous species, requiring prioritized genetic sequencing for improved eDNA reference libraries.
• To enhance the reliability of eDNA metabarcoding for fisheries conservation, management, and invasive species surveillance in the Great Lakes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized regional fish species lists, incorporating known indigenous and non-indigenous species identified through risk assessments.
• Evaluated 23 commonly used fish eDNA metabarcoding primer pairs against available sequence databases for coverage and specificity.
• Identified priority fish species for genetic sequencing to strengthen regional eDNA reference libraries.

Main Results:

• Assessed the suitability of existing primer pairs for comprehensive fish eDNA metabarcoding in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
• Highlighted specific established and potentially invasive non-indigenous fish species that require further genetic sequencing.
• Provided a framework for prioritizing sequencing efforts to improve the robustness of eDNA metabarcoding for regional fisheries.

Conclusions:

• The study provides crucial insights for optimizing eDNA metabarcoding protocols in the Great Lakes, increasing confidence in its application for conservation and management.
• Prioritizing genetic sequencing of identified key species will significantly enhance the accuracy and utility of eDNA metabarcoding for biodiversity monitoring and invasive species early detection.
• Integrating eDNA metabarcoding for both biodiversity assessment and invasive species surveillance is essential for effective aquatic ecosystem management.