Australia's marine fishes DNA barcode reference library for integrated taxonomy, metabarcoding & eDNA research.

Over 15 000 species of fishes are found globally in the marine environment and DNA barcodes are used extensively to describe, catalogue, understand and manage this diversity. The dataset outlined here represents a DNA barcode reference library of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) from 9767 voucher specimens (representing at least 2220 species and 288 families) of marine fishes. This publicly available dataset in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) represents 17 years (2005-2022) of barcoding of marine fishes identified from Australian territorial waters.

Long-distance Southern Ocean environmental DNA (eDNA) transect provides insights into spatial marine biota and invasion pathways for non-native species.

The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica harbours some of the most pristine marine environments remaining, but is increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, climate change, and invasion by non-native species. Monitoring biotic responses to cumulative impacts requires temporal and spatial baselines and ongoing monitoring - traditionally, this has been obtained by continuous plankton recorder (CPR) surveys. Here, we conduct one of the longest environmental DNA (eDNA) transects yet, spanning over 3000 nautical miles from Hobart (Australia) to Davis Station (Antarctica).

Cryptic diversity within two widespread diadromous freshwater fishes (Teleostei: Galaxiidae).

Identification of taxonomically cryptic species is essential for the effective conservation of biodiversity. Freshwater-limited organisms tend to be genetically isolated by drainage boundaries, and thus may be expected to show substantial cryptic phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity. By comparison, populations of diadromous taxa, that migrate between freshwater and marine environments, are expected to show less genetic differentiation.

Environmental DNA as a tool to reconstruct catch composition for longline fisheries vessels.

Global wild-capture fisheries are a large and diverse sector requiring various tools for fisheries-dependant data collection and effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). Here we present a novel protocol to collect eDNA from brine tanks onboard commercial longline vessels to reconstruct catch composition. We collected samples from nine vessels operating out of the Eastern Tuna Billfish Fishery, Australia, validating eDNA results with reliable catch data consisting of seven target and bycatch species.