Development of environmental DNA technology for estimating the distribution of marine fishes and monitoring its seasonal changes

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14899
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 40030:Aquatic bioproduction science-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University (2022); Kyoto University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Murakami Hiroaki 東北大学, 農学研究科, 助教 (60880721)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 環境DNA / マアジ / カタクチイワシ / 魚類生態学 / 魚類多様性 / 水産資源 / 分布推定 / リアルタイム定量PCR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We quantified environmental DNA (eDNA) concentration of jack mackerel and Japanese anchovy in 100 points placed at 400 m intervals in Maizuru Bay. The sampling layers were surface, middle, and bottom, and the eDNA markers were short-DNA, long-DNA in mitochondria DNA, and nuclear DNA (ITS1).
The eDNA concentration of short-DNA of jack mackerel was high in the surface layer in the west Bay and the bottom layer in the East Bay and was high in the surface layer in all bays for Japanese anchovy. These characteristic vertical distributions matched well with those of both species estimated by the echo sounder. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the echo intensity and eDNA in the east bay. Furthermore, the difference in the distribution and concentration of eDNA is shown on the markers for eDNA.

Free Research Field

環境DNA

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

水産資源の持続的な利用のためには、その資源量や分布を正確に把握することが不可欠である。環境DNAは、従来の手法に比べ低労力で、環境にやさしい手法である。
本研究では、マアジとカタクチイワシという水産重要種の湾内の鉛直分布を本手法で推定できることを明らかにし、また水平方向の分布も市場のノイズや魚の生態を考慮した上で行うことの重要性を示した。今後、本手法を持ちいた水産資源の詳細な分布の解明やその資源量の推定において、その有効性と課題点を検証することができた。