Heterogeneity of Fish Taxonomic and Functional Diversity Evaluated by eDNA and Gillnet along a Mangrove–Seagrass–Coral Reef Continuum

Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI · 12 authors, 5 centres

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This study compared environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and traditional gillnet fishing for surveying fish communities along a marine habitat continuum.

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Researchers compared two fish community survey methods, eDNA metabarcoding and gillnet fishing, along a mangrove–seagrass–coral reef continuum in Hainan, China. They collected samples in August 2021 from three habitats (n = 3 each). eDNA identified 139 genera belonging to 66 families, while gillnets identified 58 genera belonging to 42 families. Both methods detected heterogeneous fish communities across habitats, with some shared species indicating connectivity. There were no significant differences in taxonomic or functional diversity between habitats, but eDNA detected significantly higher taxonomic diversity. Gillnet surveys performed better than eDNA for distinguishing mangrove from seagrass assemblages. The authors attribute differences to methodological biases, such as eDNA's potential for transport via currents and gillnets' selectivity for larger fish. The study concludes that using both methods concurrently provides a more comprehensive approach for monitoring fish diversity and informing conservation policies.

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research methods

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10251956

Heterogeneity of Fish Taxonomic and Functional Diversity Evaluated by eDNA and Gillnet along a Mangrove–Seagrass–Coral Reef Continuum

Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Simple Summary The selection of fish community survey methods based on their efficiency and reliability is critical for ecosystem conservation, protection and management. In this study, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and traditional (gillnet) fishing to assess the diversity of fishes along a mangrove–seagrass–coral reef continuum of marine habitats in Hainan, China. Higher fish taxonomic diversity was identified using eDNA; however, gillnet fishing was better at identifying fish communities from different habitats along the sampled continuum. Results from both survey methods indicate that some fish species use multiple habitats along mangrove–seagrass–coral reef continuums. Therefore, the concurrent use of eDNA and gillnet survey methods provides a more comprehensive approach to understanding the heterogeneity of fish taxonomic and functional diversity along mangrove–seagrass–coral reef continuums. Abstract The effective and reliable monitoring of fish communities is important for the management and protection of marine ecosystems. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a relatively new method that has been widely used in recent years, while traditional sampling via fish catching (i.e., gillnets) is one of the most common and reliable fish monitoring methods used to date. We compared the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish detected within a mangrove–seagrass–coral reef continuum using both survey methods. One liter seawater and gillnet samples were collected in August 2021 from mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reef habitats ( n = 3 each) in Hainan, China. Surveys using eDNA and gillnets identified 139 genera belonging to 66 families and 58 genera belonging to 42 families, respectively. Regardless of the survey method, fish detected in mangrove, seagrass and coral reef habitats were heterogeneous in their communities; however, the shared species between habitats suggest some degree of connectivity. There were no significant differences between habitats in terms of taxonomic and functional diversity, but a higher taxonomic diversity was detected using eDNA. Both methods were able to distinguish fish assemblages between different habitats; however, gillnet surveys performed better than eDNA surveys for distinguishing mangrove from seagrass assemblages. Therefore, the concurrent use of eDNA and gillnet survey methods provides a more comprehensive approach to understanding the heterogeneity of fish taxonomic and functional diversity along mangrove–seagrass–coral reef continuums. Keywords: environmental DNA, fish community, functional diversity, mangrove, seagrass, coral reef

CITATION EXPORT

Shuting Qiu, Jillian Lean Sim Ooi, Weilin Chen et al.. Heterogeneity of Fish Taxonomic and Functional Diversity Evaluated by eDNA and Gillnet along a Mangrove–Seagrass–Coral Reef Continuum. Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111777

AUTHORS

12 · 5 CENTRES

Shuting Qiu, Jillian Lean Sim Ooi, Weilin Chen, Sze-Wan Poong, Han Zhang, Weiyi He, Shangke Su, Hao Luo, Wenjia Hu, Yang Amri Affendi, Jianguo Du, Kar-Hoe Loh

1Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
2Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
3Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
4Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
5Faculty of Marine Biology, Xiamen Ocean Vocational College, Xiamen 361100, China