Open AccessReproduction influences seasonal eDNA variation in a temperate marine fish community
Author(s) -
Collins Rupert A.,
Baillie Charles,
Halliday Nicholas C.,
Rainbird Sophie,
Sims David W.,
Mariani Stefano,
Genner Martin J.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2378-2242
DOI - 10.1002/lol2.10271
Subject(s) - spawn (biology) , biology , reproduction , temperate climate , abundance (ecology) , ichthyoplankton , ecology , zoology , fishery
Many factors influence how environmental DNA (eDNA) abundance varies in natural environments. One of the least studied contributors to eDNA variation is that of reproduction. Marine organisms that broadcast spawn are expected to shed increased quantities of DNA in association with the release of gametes and the elevated levels of activity associated with reproduction. To test this hypothesis at the community level, we present a year‐long eDNA time‐series of a temperate sea‐shelf fish assemblage combined with adult fish and ichthyoplankton abundance data. Our results show that eDNA is associated with species abundance estimated by conventional fish surveys at all life stages (adult, larval, and egg), and was on average 2.3‐fold more abundant during predicted fish reproductive periods.