Non-Invasive Underwater DNA Sampling Illuminates Red Sea Echinoderm Diversity.

ABSTRACT: Species-specific non-invasive underwater DNA sampling remains largely understudied for marine invertebrates despite its potential to revolutionise biodiversity assessment of vulnerable species or fragile ecosystems. Comprehensive species-specific DNA barcode databases are essential for accurate species identification and taxonomic assignment, particularly at a time of increasingly employed metabarcoding monitoring of marine biodiversity. We present an in situ swab-based protocol adapted for underwater collection of genetic material, using Red Sea echinoderms as a case study. We sampled 308 individuals from over 50 species across all five echinoderm classes using a newly designed underwater sampling kit applying sterile buccal swabs and an underwater sampling container. The novel sampling p

SUBMITTER: Bonomo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12627914 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature