Large scale eDNA database reveals potential for pseudo biodiversity
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The spatial and temporal patterns of marine diversity are essential for the sustainable use of fishery resources and the effective management and conservation of marine ecosystems. We investigated the latitudinal diversity gradients of fish genera in Japanese waters using an environmental DNA (eDNA) data. A total of 1,765 environmental DNA surveys across Japan were obtained from the All Nippon eDNA Monitoring Network (ANEMONE) database. We found a negative correlation between fish genus richness and latitude, with a particularly pronounced gradient in summer. Seasonal change in the latitudinal gradient may reflect the increased occurrence of vagrant fish from tropical regions, rather than the commonly assumed pattern of seasonal migration (i.e., southwards in winter and northwards in summer). Furthermore, our results suggests that global warming may lead to a temporary increase in biodiversity by promoting the influx of tropical vagrant fish. However, such increases are unlikely sustainable, as these vagrant species may not establish long-term populations. We refer to this phenomenon as “pseudo biodiversity”, which may give the illusion of increase in biodiversity enhancement in short-term monitoring. This concept warrants attention as similar patterns of apparent biodiversity increase may occur under other circumstances as well.
