Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals distinct fish assemblages supported by seagrass (Zostera marina and Zostera pacifica) beds in different geographic settings in Southern California.

ABSTRACT: Seagrass beds are disappearing at a record pace despite their known value to our oceans and coastal communities. Simultaneously, our coastlines are under the constant pressure of climate change which is impacting their chemical, physical and biological characteristics. It is thus pertinent to evaluate and record habitat use so we can understand how these different environments contribute to local biodiversity. This study evaluates the assemblages of fish found at five Zostera beds in Southern California using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. eDNA is a powerful biodiversity monitoring tool that offers key advantages to conventional monitoring. Results from our eDNA study found 78 species of fish that inhabit these five beds around Southern California representing embayment, open coas

SUBMITTER: Waters T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10553302 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature