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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers
Published on: October 5, 2017
Comprehensive DNA metabarcoding-based detection of non-indigenous invertebrates in recreational marinas through a
Ana S Lavrador1, Fábio G Amaral1, Jorge Moutinho1
1Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) and ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
Abstract:
eDNA metabarcoding has been increasingly employed in the monitoring of marine invertebrate non-indigenous species (NIS), in particular using filtered seawater. However, comprehensive detection of all NIS may require a diversity of sampling substrates. To assess the effectiveness of 5 sample types (hard and artificial substrates, water, zooplankton) on the recovery of invertebrates' diversity, two marinas were monitored over three time points, using COI and 18S rRNA genes as DNA metabarcoding markers. We detected a total of 628 species and 23 NIS, with only up to 9% species and 17% of NIS detected by all sample types. Hard and artificial substrates were similar to each other but displayed the most significant difference in invertebrate recovery when compared to water eDNA and zooplankton. Five NIS are potential first records for Portugal. No NIS were detected in all sample types and seasons, highlighting the need for varied sampling approaches, and consideration of temporal variation for comprehensive marine NIS surveillance.
