Species-specific environmental DNA analysis of the index species in soil ecosystem, (Collembola: Onychiuridae).

Collembola are abundant and have significant roles in the soil ecosystem. Therefore, the phenotypic endpoints of Collembola population or community have been used as an effective bioindicator for assessing soil quality. Since the identification and counting the collembolans in the soil is a laborious and costly procedure, environmental DNA (eDNA)-based biomonitoring was proposed as an analysis tool of collembolan species found in the soil.