Author(s): Saki Mizumura; Kanta Kobayashi; Vishal Singh Rawat; Hiroaki Murakami; Gubash Azhikodan; Katsuhide Yokoyama
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Keywords: EDNA; Japanese eel; Small river estuary; Seasonal changes; Water temperature
Abstract: The habitat usage of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) was investigated in a small river estuary with a length of 2 km and width of 5 m. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis was used to assess its seasonal occurrence in the estuary and river section from September 2023 to July 2024. eDNA was detected throughout the year in the estuary, with the highest concentration (conc. ) of 501 copies/L in September 2023, and the lowest (25 copies/L) in May 2024. In the river, eDNA was present only in September 2023 and from May to July 2024, with no detection in the winter months. eDNA proved to be a highly effective tool for assessing the habitat of Japanese eels in a small river estuary, offering detailed insights into their seasonal distribution and ecological dynamics.
Year: 2024