Use of environmental DNA in assessment of fish functional and phylogenetic diversity

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding outperforms traditional methods like underwater video surveys in assessing fish biodiversity, including phylogenetic and functional diversity. A study at Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, a remote marine protected area off Colombia's Pacific coast, found that eDNA detected 66% more molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) than video surveys, along with higher functional richness and phylogenetic diversity. The research, comparing 10 eDNA samples from 30 liters of water against 25 hours of video footage over four days, demonstrated that a single eDNA transect could capture as much phylogenetic diversity as 25 hours of video. While taxonomic assignments remain limited by genetic reference databases, the findings highlight eDNA's potential for affordable, efficient, and non-invasive biodiversity monitoring in marine ecosystems.

Marques, V., Castagné, P., Polanco, A., Borrero‐Pérez, G. H., Hocdé, R., Guérin, P.-É., Juhel, J.-B., Velez, L., Loiseau, N., Letessier, T. B., Bessudo, S., Valentini, A., Dejean, T., Mouillot, D., Pellissier, L., & Villéger, S. (2021). Use of environmental DNA in assessment of fish functional and phylogenetic diversity. Conservation Biology, 35(6), 1944–1956. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13802