Environmental DNA最新文献

{"title":"Targeted Airborne eDNA of an Invasive Wallaby: Effects of Sampler Type, Distance, and Environmental Conditions","authors":"Gracie C. Kroos,&nbsp;Kristen Fernandes,&nbsp;Philip Seddon,&nbsp;Travis Ashcroft,&nbsp;William S. Pearman,&nbsp;Neil J. Gemmell","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70240","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bennett's wallabies <i>Notamacropus rufogriseus</i>, introduced to New Zealand from Australia in the late 1800s, strongly exemplify the detection challenges posed by invasive terrestrial species that are rare, cryptic, and highly mobile. Across their invasive range, <i>N. rufogriseus</i> occupy large landscapes at low densities, making their surveillance challenging. Recent research has demonstrated that airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) can rapidly identify terrestrial vertebrate diversity in an area. Leveraging these findings, we investigate the utility of airborne eDNA for the targeted monitoring of <i>N. rufogriseus</i>, using a novel, probe-based quantitative PCR assay. The effects of filtration material, collection method (active versus passive), distance from the source, and environmental conditions were examined for their effects on airborne detection probability, using a captive population of wallabies in a controlled park setting. A total of 110 airborne samples were collected, 55 with active (battery-powered fan) samplers and 55 passive (nonpowered) samplers, across six distinct experimental periods at distances of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 m from the closest known source of wallaby DNA. Filters designed to capture coarse particles (&gt; 10 μm) significantly improved detection rates and DNA recovery for actively collected samples, compared to filters targeting finer particles (1–10 μm). Active samplers significantly outperformed passive samplers in overall detection rates, particularly at shorter ranges from the target. Distance from the source had a significant negative effect on detection probability. Detection rates declined sharply beyond 10 m but remained possible up to 1 km from the source for both collection methods. These findings demonstrate that airborne eDNA can detect terrestrial vertebrate species at ecologically relevant distances, supporting its potential for landscape-scale surveillance. Notably, these results underscore the importance of optimizing sampler design when applying airborne eDNA for targeted species monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70240","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Best Practice Guidelines for Targeted Environmental DNA-Based Proficiency Testing in Non-Regulatory Contexts","authors":"Margaret E. Hunter,&nbsp;Adam J. Sepulveda,&nbsp;Dianne M. Gleeson,&nbsp;Alejandro Trujillo-González,&nbsp;Caren C. Helbing,&nbsp;Helen C. Rees,&nbsp;Devin N. Jones-Slobodian,&nbsp;Rachel C. Miliano,&nbsp;Toshifumi Minamoto,&nbsp;Susanna Theroux,&nbsp;Cecilia Villacorta Rath,&nbsp;Taylor Wilcox,&nbsp;Hiroki Yamanaka,&nbsp;Katy E. Klymus","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70189","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The effective use of environmental DNA (eDNA) tools is contingent on strict adherence to established and validated methods. Differences in eDNA methods and quality assurance protocols may contribute to variability in results. However, quality assurance measures such as proficiency testing can provide independent evaluation of laboratory performance against pre-established test criteria. With this commentary, we discuss how broad implementation of recurring proficiency testing in eDNA laboratories can build decision-maker confidence in eDNA results. It can also create a culture of continuous evaluation and improvement that minimizes error and meets performance requirements to inform the sustainable use or monitoring of natural resources. We provide an overview of proficiency testing across molecular disciplines, review the state of proficiency testing in eDNA applications, and draft a roadmap for the expanded application of proficiency testing informed by best practices for targeted eDNA detection. We suggest that best practice proficiency testing can be conducted by an independent, third-party sample provider. By demonstrating that laboratories are competent and capable of producing reliable results, implementation of proficiency testing best practices should foster confidence in eDNA measurements and its use in decision-making processes. Increased confidence in eDNA methods and a clear expectation of what is considered satisfactory performance are also likely to create more favorable conditions for investments in eDNA-based monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70189","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"eDNA Metabarcoding as a Promising Conservation Tool to Monitor Fish Diversity in Indonesia Marine Protected Areas","authors":"Ni Kadek Dita Cahyani,&nbsp;Aji Wahyu Anggoro,&nbsp;Rian Prasetia,&nbsp;Yuliana Fitri Syamsuni,&nbsp;Muhammad Danie Al Malik,&nbsp;Eka Maya Kurniasih,&nbsp;Nining Nursalim,&nbsp;Nenik Kholilah,&nbsp;Fauzi Muh,&nbsp;Ambariyanto Ambariyanto,&nbsp;Muhidin Muhidin,&nbsp;Sukmarahaja A. R. Tarigan,&nbsp;Widyastuti Widyastuti","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70242","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a crucial role in conserving marine biodiversity while providing ecological, social, and economic benefits. Effective monitoring is essential for assessing changes in biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of MPAs. In this context, biodiversity monitoring in Karimunjawa National Park (KNP) provides an excellent opportunity to examine effective monitoring practices. Traditionally, biodiversity assessments have been conducted through visual census methods, which have limitations such as challenges in species identification, time constraints, and high survey costs. To complement visual surveys, this study employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding with the 12S rRNA gene, utilizing Oxford Nanopore sequencing to assess fish diversity across different zonation systems within KNP. eDNA analysis detected a total of 183 fish species, with 87 species (38% of the 229 species recorded by visual census) and 25 families (71%) shared between the two methods. Alpha diversity (ANOVA, <i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) showed no significant differences between sites and zonation, whereas community structure (PERMANOVA, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) revealed significant differences between sites and zonation. Additionally, eDNA offered complementary insights by detecting broader functional traits than the visual census, such as nocturnal behavior, habitat preferences, and migratory variations of fish species, whereas the visual census predominantly only recorded reef-associated and nonmigratory taxa. These findings demonstrate that eDNA, particularly when integrated with Oxford Nanopore sequencing, is a powerful tool for marine biodiversity monitoring. Standardizing bioinformatics workflows is crucial for ensuring data comparability and maximizing the effectiveness of eDNA-based conservation strategies in Indonesia's MPAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70242","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparing Watershed-Based eDNA Sampling and Camera Trapping for Assessing Mammal Diversity in North-Western Bhutan","authors":"Karma Sherub,&nbsp;Sarah Thurnheer,&nbsp;Martina Lüthi,&nbsp;Virginie Marques,&nbsp;Arnaud Lyet,&nbsp;Tashi Dhendup,&nbsp;Lungten Dorji,&nbsp;Camille Albouy,&nbsp;Loïc Pellissier","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70243","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70243","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The ability of environmental DNA (eDNA) to provide rapid assessments of mammal taxa composition at the watershed scale can make it an efficient survey method on large-scale landscapes, complementing camera traps. Due to the rugged and inaccessible terrain of many areas in Bhutan, camera trapping is associated with logistical challenges, increasing the cost of sampling considerably. In this study, conducted in the Upper Punatsangchhu catchment basin of Bhutan, we investigated the ability of eDNA water samples to capture the diversity of terrestrial mammals in comparison with camera trapping, using six watersheds within the basin as a baseline sampling frame. Combined, the two methods detected a total of 72 mammalian species: eDNA metabarcoding identified 60 species, while camera trapping detected 33 species, with an overlap of 21 species between the two methods. In addition, eDNA metabarcoding detected 90% of the IUCN Red List species detected by the camera traps. Small mammals were frequently detected using eDNA metabarcoding, while camera trapping more often detected large mammals. The mean detection probabilities recorded from eDNA were higher for all species grouped by orders and size categories compared with camera trapping. Biodiversity models based on eDNA metabarcoding and camera trapping both retrieved dominant effects of temperature and isolation in structuring the mammal assemblage. We conclude that eDNA sampling based on watersheds accurately represents the spatial distribution of species across each watershed in our study area in Bhutan to provide a rapid assessment of mammals from river water.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70243","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Seasonal Rhythms of Coastal eDNA: Insights Into Biodiversity and Regional Detection Patterns","authors":"Melissa K. Morrison,&nbsp;Kimberly Howland,&nbsp;Erin K. Grey,&nbsp;Timothy J. Barrett,&nbsp;Claudio DiBacco,&nbsp;Meghan C. McBride,&nbsp;Maelle Sevellec,&nbsp;Anaïs Lacoursière-Roussel","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70236","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70236","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a non-invasive monitoring approach increasingly used to detect marine organisms; however, misunderstandings of the temporal variability in eDNA detection have limited its integration within management decisions. A clearer understanding of the periodicity (e.g., seasonality) and duration (e.g., weeks, months) of species eDNA detection is essential to optimize sampling design and data interpretation. As such, this study aims to provide a representative assessment of optimal eDNA detection windows across diverse taxonomic groups, primers, and geographic regions using eDNA metabarcoding. Coastal marine presence-absence eDNA data were collected along the Northwest Atlantic coast, in the Bay of Fundy, Scotian Shelf, and Baffin Island. eDNA detection window(s) were defined as unimodal, contiguous months having greater than 75% detection probability and were calculated for each taxon for each primer in each region. Most marine species exhibited short eDNA detection windows (1–2 months). The optimal sampling periods and durations were conserved among closely related species, highlighting the importance of considering biological traits when designing and interpreting eDNA studies. Additionally, primer choice influenced the optimal detection periods, with higher seasonal variation in community composition and detection rates using universal COI and 18S primers compared to fish 16S and 12S primers. These results demonstrate that ignoring seasonal variation may cause false negatives, inefficient sampling, and reduced data comparability across independent studies. Thus, we propose a set of guidelines aimed at the development of optimal sampling designs for coastal ecosystems and the interpretation of trends across datasets.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70236","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146096518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"VHSV and IHNV in the Environment: Assessment and Comparison of eRNA-Based Methods for Detection in Aquaculture","authors":"Giulia Zarantonello,&nbsp;Dagoberto Sepúlveda Araneda,&nbsp;Niccolò Vendramin,&nbsp;Andrea Marsella,&nbsp;Niels Lorenzen,&nbsp;Argelia Cuenca","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70241","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) are major pathogens in aquaculture. Detection of both viruses requires lethal sampling, as it is typically performed by testing of internal organs. However, this approach only identifies the pathogens once viral transmission has already occurred and infection is underway. As both viruses can spread through water, an efficient environmental detection method could significantly improve disease control and prevention of transmission, and enhance welfare by reducing lethal sampling. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of detecting IHNV and VHSV environmental RNA (eRNA) in water during in vivo infection trials in <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>, using RT-qPCR. By sampling at multiple time points post-exposure, we could evaluate the efficacy of detection at decreasing viral concentration in water over time. Viral eRNA was recovered using different methods: viral concentration with polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, filter membranes, filtered water, or unprocessed water samples. RT-qPCR values were compared to the quantification of infectious particles using viral titration, with RT-qPCR consistently detecting higher eRNA copies/mL than the cell-based assay to detect infectious particles (TCID₅₀/mL). eRNA detection from the filter membranes significantly outperformed the other tested methods, enhancing eRNA recovery particularly at lower viral concentrations. Notably, eRNA detection in water was still possible after the peak of mortality for both viruses. Additionally, IHNV eRNA was successfully detected in farm water samples, even up to 50 days post initial fish tissue diagnosis, confirming the feasibility under real conditions. This study provides the first quantification of IHNV eRNA from aquaculture water and demonstrates the effectiveness of a filtration-based viral concentration method for environmental surveillance. These findings suggest that eRNA-based RT-qPCR detection of IHNV and VHSV from water could be a valuable addition to current diagnostic tools, potentially enabling earlier detection and improved containment in aquaculture and the surrounding environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70241","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146007328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hummingbird Feeders Can Provide eDNA for Detection of Nectar-Feeding Bats","authors":"Anna L. Riley,&nbsp;Daniel E. Sanchez,&nbsp;Kristen Lear,&nbsp;Rachel Burke,&nbsp;Brianna Mann,&nbsp;Faith M. Walker","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70234","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In the face of ongoing anthropogenic pressures on global biodiversity, effective monitoring strategies are essential for understanding species distributions and guiding conservation. <i>Leptonycteris nivalis</i>, <i>L. yerbabuenae</i>, and <i>Choeronycteris mexicana</i> are nectar-feeding bats of conservation concern that occur in the southwestern United States and Mexico. <i>Leptonycteris nivalis</i> and <i>L. yerbabuenae</i> are morphologically similar and difficult to differentiate in the field, making eDNA a particularly relevant monitoring tool. Since previous studies have shown that eDNA detection of these species is possible when swabs are taken from their dietary flowers, we sought to determine whether they can be detected from artificial feeders, which are commonly used on residential properties to attract hummingbirds and are a known supplemental food source for <i>L. yerbabuenae</i>. Between 2023 and 2024, citizen scientists (<i>n</i> = 12) in Arizona and New Mexico took 306 swabs of hummingbird feeders, which we tested with an existing qPCR assay for <i>L. nivalis</i> and newly-developed qPCR assays for <i>L. yerbabuenae</i> and <i>C. mexicana</i>. <i>Leptonycteris yerbabuenae</i> and <i>C. mexicana</i> showed the highest number of detections (300 and 274 swabs, respectively). Previously only known to occur in the U.S. in Texas and New Mexico, we detected <i>L. nivalis</i> near Portal, Arizona, within 50 km of documented foraging range in western New Mexico. Detections of this endangered species suggest its range extends beyond Hidalgo County, New Mexico and into neighboring Cochise County, Arizona, highlighting a need for increased surveillance of this species. Our work with artificial nectar feeders expands the eDNA detection method for nectar-feeding bats to the human-wildlife interface and shows that citizen science can be successfully used for eDNA surveys. Such methods provide an alternative to mist netting or acoustics, which can help monitor occupancy and clarify range extensions. This work corroborates other studies illustrating that eDNA can effectively detect and monitor terrestrial species.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70234","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146007501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First European Interlaboratory Ring Test Study to Detect DNA of Crayfish and the Crayfish Plague Pathogen From Water Samples","authors":"Patrik Bohman,&nbsp;Kristofer Andersson,&nbsp;David A. Strand,&nbsp;Thomas Baudry,&nbsp;Kathrin Theissinger,&nbsp;Ivana Maguire,&nbsp;Michael Aluma,&nbsp;Anna Aspán,&nbsp;Martin Bláha,&nbsp;Ljudevit Luka Bostjancic,&nbsp;Carine Delaunay,&nbsp;Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo,&nbsp;Lennart Edsman,&nbsp;Fabio Ercoli,&nbsp;Jean-Yves Georges,&nbsp;Frédéric Grandjean,&nbsp;Bogna Griffin,&nbsp;Terhi Iso-Touru,&nbsp;Birgitta Jacobsson,&nbsp;Katrin Kaldre,&nbsp;Alex King,&nbsp;Pavel Kozák,&nbsp;Lucija Markulin,&nbsp;María Martínez-Ríos,&nbsp;Laura Martín-Torrijos,&nbsp;Saima Mohammad,&nbsp;Michaela Mojžišová,&nbsp;Teja Petra Muha,&nbsp;Ludvig Orsén,&nbsp;John Persson,&nbsp;Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano,&nbsp;Lilian Pukk,&nbsp;Björn Rogell,&nbsp;Timo J. Ruokonen,&nbsp;Heike Schmidt-Posthaus,&nbsp;Jonas Steiner,&nbsp;Linda Söderberg,&nbsp;Anti Vasemägi,&nbsp;Armin Zenker,&nbsp;Adam Petrusek","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70238","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70238","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In recent years, European countries have intensified efforts to control or limit the spread of invasive freshwater crayfish and the crayfish plague pathogen <i>Aphanomyces astaci</i>, while working to conserve native species such as the noble crayfish (<i>Astacus astacus</i>). Although crayfish shed relatively low amounts of DNA into their environment, environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches have proven effective for detecting their presence. A range of protocols and equipment is currently used in eDNA-based monitoring of freshwater crayfish. To evaluate how methodological variation influences detection accuracy, we conducted the first European interlaboratory ring test using eDNA to detect <i>A. astacus</i>, the invasive signal crayfish <i>Pacifastacus leniusculus</i>, a chronic carrier of <i>A. astaci</i>, and the pathogen itself. The aim is to harmonize monitoring methods for crayfish and disease surveillance across laboratories. Eleven teams from thirteen European countries participated, each using its own equipment and protocols to collect and filter water from indoor tanks and outdoor ponds where the presence of <i>A. astacus</i> and <i>P. leniusculus</i> had been experimentally manipulated, as well as from a natural lake containing a <i>P. leniusculus</i> population. The resulting samples were analyzed in each team's laboratory. Despite methodological differences, all teams successfully detected DNA from both crayfish species in indoor tanks (3–10 crayfish/m³). However, detection accuracy declined in outdoor ponds where crayfish density was an order of magnitude lower (0.32 crayfish/m³). Detection was most variable for <i>A. astaci</i>, likely due to its very low prevalence in the host stock. Our study demonstrates the challenges of achieving consistent eDNA results across laboratories and highlights the importance of interlaboratory comparisons. It also underscores the need to identify sources of variability and error, an essential step toward developing robust and standardized protocols. This multinational intercalibration and exchange of knowledge improved methodology and enhanced reliability in crayfish detection.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70238","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"River-Floodplain Metacommunities as Complex Networks: The Interplay of Species Interactions, Dispersal, and Environment","authors":"Funk Andrea,&nbsp;Czeglédi István,&nbsp;Erős Tibor,&nbsp;Landler Lukas,&nbsp;Meulenbroek Paul,&nbsp;Pont Didier,&nbsp;Recinos Brizuela Sonia,&nbsp;Valentini Alice,&nbsp;Hein Thomas","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70239","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Dynamic heterogeneous metacommunities can be analyzed as complex networks. However, the interplay of species interactions, local environmental conditions, and spatiotemporal dispersal remains poorly understood. We assess the relative importance of these drivers in structuring river-floodplain metacommunities based on a spatiotemporal eDNA dataset. We applied Bayesian network learning to infer species interactions, spatiotemporal dynamics, and the importance of environmental factors, and used graph theory to summarize and analyze the patterns in the derived networks. Our analysis revealed distinct sub-communities linked by interacting species, spanning a gradient from environmentally filtered to dispersal-driven. Top predators and invasive species are identified as key connectors, being most important in regulating network dynamics and cohesion. Our findings highlight that combining Bayesian networks with graph theory has high potential to uncover the causal structure of metacommunities and provide a mechanistic understanding of community assembly in dynamic ecosystems, informing ecosystem management in dynamic landscapes.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70239","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146002118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tails of Biodiversity: Vertebrate Community Assessment in a Neotropical River Basin via eDNA Metabarcoding","authors":"Larissa Moreira-Silva,&nbsp;Rennan Garcias Moreira,&nbsp;Jim Perry,&nbsp;Walisson Kenedy-Siqueira,&nbsp;Guilherme Costa Baião,&nbsp;Daniel Negreiros,&nbsp;Fernando Figueiredo Goulart,&nbsp;Josimar Daniel Gomes,&nbsp;Geraldo Wilson Fernandes","doi":"10.1002/edn3.70230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.70230","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Located in the southeast of Brazil, the Rio Santo Antônio basin, a tributary of the Rio Doce basin, has many preserved remnants of the Atlantic Forest, but is otherwise under imminent threats from several land use stressors. In this study, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess vertebrate diversity in the headwaters of the Rio Santo Antônio basin, aiming to elucidate key ecological factors influencing its vertebrate richness. Additionally, we provide the first vertebrate species inventory for the basin. In 2023, water samples from 15 third- and fourth-order streams were collected and metabarcoding assays targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene were employed to detect the vertebrate community. We identified 119 vertebrate taxonomic units distributed across two distinct communities: one on the eastern slope and another on the western slope of the basin, both influenced by large-scale mining activities. We demonstrated that vertebrate richness was not correlated with forest cover or pH but was strongly associated with the water's oxidation–reduction potential (ORP). We interpret ORP as a reflection of local conditions, where sites with higher ORP values also exhibited greater taxonomic richness and were related to greater forest cover, lower air and water temperatures, and greater distance from mining activity. The vertebrate biodiversity and biogeographic distribution described here highlight the value of eDNA metabarcoding as a monitoring approach and support decision-making and conservation efforts aimed at preserving the remaining Atlantic Forest in the headwaters of the Rio Santo Antônio basin.</p>","PeriodicalId":52828,"journal":{"name":"Environmental DNA","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/edn3.70230","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145916017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}