The sources of this DNA include cells, faeces, mucous, gametes, degrading cells or tissues and fragments resulting from predation 9.ĮDNA metabarcoding as a biodiversity assessment tool has already been applied in a variety of environments indicating its capability to unveil the macro-guilds used as ecological indicators as well as ecological communities structure 12, 12, 14.
The second method uses traces of DNA collected by filtering water or using soil or sediment samples 11. The bulk sampling method has been applied to small planktonic organisms, but also to larger and multicellular species 10. The first method involves DNA to be extracted from a bulk sample of organisms. The advent of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a high-throughput tool for biodiversity assessment is certainly facilitating data collection for biodiversity monitoring.Įnvironmental DNA (eDNA) refers to DNA from an environmental sample and it is possible to identify two main ways to obtain this genetic material 8, 9. Specifically, the class of genetic composition includes genetic diversity and genetic differentiation or genetic distance the class of species populations includes species distribution and abundances the class of community composition includes community abundance and taxonomic/phylogenetic diversity 7. The inter-governmental group on Earth Observations and Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) has developed the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), which are a set of variables aiming to capture different levels of biodiversity and are divided into 6 classes: genetic composition, species populations, species traits, community composition, ecosystem function, ecosystem structure. To address these problems, monitoring actions and conservation strategies are essential. The genetic diversity of natural populations and communities ensures adaptive potential and evolvability 5, reducing the risk of extinction 6. In addition to a decrease in species composition, habitat reduction and degradation are also causing a loss of species’ genetic diversity 3, 4.
MR FIG NEWTON DRIVERS
Finally, the genetic distances analysis suggests that the different spatial distribution of OTUs, at least for the Tetraselmis genus, reflects the genetic background.Ĭlimate changes and anthropogenic pressures are the main drivers of a biodiversity decline characterized by an unprecedented rate of species extinction 1, 2. The results demonstrated the validity of eDNA studies to provide insights into lagoon phytoplankton composition, establish the structure and spatial variation of phytoplankton communities, and evaluate its correlation to abiotic factors. We sampled water in seven different lagoon sites and amplified the extracted DNA with primers targeting the variable region 4 (V4) of the 18S rRNA gene marker. In this study, we applied, for the first time, eDNA metabarcoding in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon to assess the ecological features of eukaryotic phytoplankton communities. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding represents a high-throughput tool for biodiversity assessment that is facilitating data collection for biodiversity monitoring. Transitional water ecosystems are more sensitive to habitat reduction and degradation and, thus, are more exposed to biodiversity declines requiring biodiversity monitoring programs for their conservation. Climate changes and anthropogenic pressures are causing a biodiversity decline in terms of species number and genetic diversity, reducing the adaptability and evolvability of natural communities.
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