RESUMO

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as one of the most efficient methods to assess aquatic species presence. While the method can in theory be used to investigate nonaquatic fauna, its development for inventorying semi-aquatic and terrestrial fauna is still at an early stage. Here we investigated the potential of aquatic eDNA metabarcoding for inventorying mammals in Neotropical environments, be they aquatic, semi-aquatic or terrestrial. We collected aquatic eDNA in 96 sites distributed along three Guianese watersheds and compared our inventories to expected species distributions and field observations derived from line transects located throughout French Guiana. Species occurrences and emblematic mammalian fauna richness patterns were consistent with the expected distribution of fauna and our results revealed that aquatic eDNA metabarcoding brings additional data to line transect samples for diurnal nonaquatic (terrestrial and arboreal) species. Aquatic eDNA also provided data on species not detectable in line transect surveys such as semi-aquatic, aquatic and nocturnal terrestrial and arboreal species. Although the application of eDNA to inventory mammals still needs some developments to optimize sampling efficiency, it can now be used as a complement to traditional surveys.

Assuntos

DNA Ambiental , Mamíferos , Água , Animais , Biodiversidade , Código de Barras de DNA Taxonômico , Monitoramento Ambiental , Guiana Francesa , Mamíferos/classificação , Mamíferos/genética

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Environmental DNA [eDNA] metabarcoding has recently emerged as a non-destructive alternative to traditional sampling for characterising species assemblages. NEW INFORMATION: We here provide a consistent dataset synthetising all eDNA sampling sites in French Guiana to date. Field collections have been initiated in 2014 and have continued until 2019. This dataset is however a work in progress and will be updated after each collecting campaign. We also provide a taxon by site matrix for fishes presence / absence as inferred from eDNA. Our aim is to allow a transparent communication to the stakeholders and provide the foundation for a monitoring programme based on eDNA. The lastest version of the dataset is publicly and freely accessible through the CEBA geoportal (http://vmcebagn-dev.ird.fr) or through the French Guiana geographic portal (https://www.geoguyane.fr).