Metazoan Biodiversity Across the Western Part of Agder, Southern Norway: Insights from High-Throughput DNA Metabarcoding
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a transformative tool for biodiversity monitoring, enabling efficient detection of species and community composition in aquatic ecosystems. This molecular approach overcomes limitations of traditional methods, offering sensitivity and efficiency by targeting genetic markers such as the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.In this study, we analyzed eDNA from water samples collected at eight coastal sites along the western Agder coast, Norway, to explore patterns of biodiversity and community structure. Metabarcoding identified 1,604 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), including 561 Metazoan MOTUs, providing insights into the taxonomic diversity and spatial variation of coastal ecosystems. Metazoa and Stramenopiles were the most abundant kingdoms, with Arthropoda and Annelida emerging as the dominant metazoan phyla.Diversity metrics revealed significant spatial differences, with Kilen, Epledalsbukta, and Søm showing the highest diversity and unique community compositions. In contrast, sites like Bågstøvåg and Sølvbukta exhibited the highest read abundances, reflecting possible ecological distinctions or sampling variability.This research underscores the value of eDNA metabarcoding in advancing biodiversity assessments and ecological research. By offering high-resolution insights into species distributions and community dynamics, these findings contribute to the understanding of coastal ecosystem health and highlight the potential of molecular tools in conservation science.Keywords: eDNA metabarcoding, biodiversity monitoring, molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), mitochondrial COI, marine ecosystems, taxonomic diversity, bioinformatics,Next-generation sequencing.