Biodiversity and spatial distribution of ascidian using environmental DNA metabarcoding
Seongjun Bae1, Philjae Kim2, Chang-Ho Yi3
1Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, 33662, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
Marine Environmental Research
|January 23, 2023
Summary
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis offers a more efficient method for monitoring marine biodiversity than traditional visual surveys. This study found eDNA metabarcoding effectively detected rare and unrecorded ascidian species, complementing visual surveys.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Molecular Ecology
- Biodiversity Monitoring
Background:
- Marine ecosystem monitoring is crucial for understanding biodiversity and managing species.
- Traditional visual surveys are resource-intensive and have limitations in detecting all species.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is emerging as an efficient alternative for biodiversity assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding versus traditional visual surveys for ascidian fauna monitoring.
- To assess the potential of eDNA metabarcoding to detect rare, cryptic, or unrecorded ascidian species.
Main Methods:
- Development of ascidian-specific primers for DNA barcoding.
- Collection of seawater samples for eDNA analysis at three South Korean sites (Mokpo, Yeosu, Uljin) in summer 2021.
- Comparison of eDNA metabarcoding results with existing literature and visual survey data.
Main Results:
- eDNA metabarcoding detected 9 of 25 known ascidian species, while 16 were missed.
- eDNA metabarcoding uniquely identified 10 additional species, including Pyura mirabilis, a new record for South Korea.
- The study successfully detected cryptic or rare ascidian species through a single seawater sample.
Conclusions:
- eDNA metabarcoding is a more efficient method than visual surveys for detecting rare or cryptic ascidian species.
- eDNA analysis can identify previously unknown habitats for certain species.
- Combining eDNA monitoring with traditional methods can enhance ascidian fauna studies.
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