Composition of fish species using eDNA from the Seomji River estuary in southern sea of Korea

Abstract

The Seomjin River is a natural river that does not have an artificial bank in Korea. Species composition of fishes varies depending on the physical environmental conditions in this estuary. To detect this change, environmental DNA (eDNA) was filtered by 40 μm mesh and analyzed using COI gene during May to August. Total of 26 species including Mugil cephalus, Halichoeres tenuispinis, Hemibarbus labeo were appeared. Depending on the salinity of the sea water, fish communities were divided into three groups freshwater species, migrant species, and seawater species. As comparing this result to the species composition from the adult fish data directly collected, detection of fish using eDNA could be possible. This information would help to manage the Seomjin River estuary.s filtered by 40 μm mesh and analyzed using COI gene during May to August. Total of 26 species including Mugil cephalus, Halichoeres tenuispinis, Hemibarbus labeo were appeared. Depending on the salinity of the sea water, fish communities were divided into three groups freshwater species, migrant species, and seawater species. As comparing this result to the species composition from the adult fish data directly collected, detection of fish using eDNA could be possible. This information would help to manage the Seomjin River estuary.