Environmental DNA of insects and springtails from caves reveals complex processes of eDNA transfer in soils

Lunghi, Enrico; Valle, Barbara; Guerrieri, Alessia; Bonin, Aurélie; Cianferoni, Fabio; Manenti, Raoul; Ficetola, Gentile Francesco

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154022

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 81 publications

(130 reference statements)

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“…Subsequently, other associations in direct contact with the soil have been detected and studied ( Table 1 ) [ 56 ]. These pioneering investigations are well-defined and could not be possible to explore without the introduction of eDNA metabarcoding [ 57 ]. Conventional techniques for studying biodiversity help assess and recognize the threats to global ecosystems, with rapidly evolving innovative techniques like eDNA providing novel prospects for all-encompassing biodiversity research besides proving to be a proficient and cost-effective method for evaluating the ecosystem structure and functioning [ 58 , 59 ].…”

Section: Exertion Of Environmental Dna In Terrestrial Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity

Hassan

Sabreena

Poczai

et al. 2022

Biology

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The dearth of cardinal data on species presence, dispersion, abundance, and habitat prerequisites, besides the threats impeded by escalating human pressure has enormously affected biodiversity conservation. The innovative concept of eDNA, has been introduced as a way of overcoming many of the difficulties of rigorous conventional investigations, and is hence becoming a prominent and novel method for assessing biodiversity. Recently the demand for eDNA in ecology and conservation has expanded exceedingly, despite the lack of coordinated development in appreciation of its strengths and limitations. Therefore it is pertinent and indispensable to evaluate the extent and significance of eDNA-based investigations in terrestrial habitats and to classify and recognize the critical considerations that need to be accounted before using such an approach. Presented here is a brief review to summarize the prospects and constraints of utilizing eDNA in terrestrial ecosystems, which has not been explored and exploited in greater depth and detail in such ecosystems. Given these obstacles, we focused primarily on compiling the most current research findings from journals accessible in eDNA analysis that discuss terrestrial ecosystems (2012–2022). In the current evaluation, we also review advancements and limitations related to the eDNA technique.

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Section: Exertion Of Environmental Dna In Terrestrial Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity

Hassan

Sabreena

Poczai

et al. 2022

Biology

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“…To our opinion, however, the most likely explanation for most of them is that these organisms (or part of them) were transported through the soil and into the groundwater during rain events. This theory is also mentioned by Lunghi et al (2022) as an explanation for the presence of freshwater macroinvertebrates' DNA in cave soil. This is also congruent with the fact that other groundwater eDNA studies systematically found DNA from surface organisms in their samples (Oberprieler et al, 2021;West et al, 2020).…”

Section: Summentioning

confidence: 86%

“…If the proportion of each of these groups identified in Table 1 is representative of the whole data set, it is likely that most of our ASVs are actually associated with stygoxene and non-aquatic taxa, possibly washed in from surface/soil ecosystems. However, a tight coupling of above-and below-ground ecosystems is expected, and groundwater signals should integrate all these communities, as demonstrated by Lunghi et al (2022). The differences observed related to land-use could be attributed to soil micro-organisms, but since all strata (i.e.…”

Section: Diversity Present In Groundwater Edna Reflects Land-use and ...mentioning

confidence: 95%

Groundwater environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals hidden diversity and reflects land‐use and geology

et al. 2023

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“…Dedicated surveys for Troglodiplura are recommended to better elucidate the distribution of species, to detect new species, identify which are likely to be at threat and the conservation actions needed to protect them. Collection and analysis of eDNA from cave sediment has been shown to be successful in detecting arthropods in cave environs [ 86 ] and provides increased opportunity to detect these species. Additionally, the use of passive surveillance, such as camera traps, has been documented as a successful method for monitoring populations of mygalomorph spiders and for collecting ecological and behavioural data [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae)

Marsh

Milner

Shaw

et al. 2023

Insects

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Previously described from only fragments of exoskeleton and juvenile specimens, the cave spider genus Troglodiplura (Araneae: Anamidae), endemic to the Nullarbor Plain, is the only troglomorphic member of the infraorder Mygalomorphae recorded from Australia. We investigated the distribution of Troglodiplura in South Australia, collecting and observing the first (intact) mature specimens, widening the number of caves it has been recorded in, and documenting threats to conservation. Phylogenetic analyses support the placement of Troglodiplura as an independent lineage within the subfamily Anaminae (the ‘Troglodiplura group’) and provide unequivocal evidence that populations from apparently isolated cave systems are conspecifics of T. beirutpakbarai Harvey & Rix, 2020, with extremely low or negligible inter-population mitochondrial divergences. This is intriguing evidence for recent or contemporary subterranean dispersal of these large, troglomorphic spiders. Observations of adults and juvenile spiders taken in the natural cave environment, and supported by observations in captivity, revealed the use of crevices within caves as shelters, but no evidence of silk use for burrow construction, contrasting with the typical burrowing behaviours seen in other Anamidae. We identify a range of threats posed to the species and to the fragile cave ecosystem, and provide recommendations for further research to better define the distribution of vulnerable taxa within caves and identify actions needed to protect them.

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Environmental DNA of insects and springtails from caves reveals complex processes of eDNA transfer in soils

Cited by 14 publications

References 81 publications

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity

Groundwater environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals hidden diversity and reflects land‐use and geology

A Case for Below-Ground Dispersal? Insights into the Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Blind Cave Spiders in the Genus Troglodiplura (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae)

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