DNA Metabarcoding Methods for the Study of Marine Benthic Meiofauna: A Review

Meiofaunal animals, roughly between 0.045 and 1 mm in size, are ubiquitous ecologically important inhabitants of benthic marine ecosystems. Their high species richness rapid response to environmental change make them promising targets for ecological biomonitoring studies. However, diversity patterns meiofauna remain poorly known due challenges identification using classical morphological methods. DNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool overcome this limitation. Here, we review approaches used studies on meiobenthos with the aim facilitating researchers informed decisions implementation meiofaunal biodiversity monitoring. We found that applied methods vary greatly studies, concluded further explicit comparisons protocols needed apply as standard assessing community composition. Key aspects require additional consideration include: (1) comparability sample pre-treatment methods; (2) integration different primers molecular markers both mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) nuclear 18S rRNA genes maximize taxon recovery; (3) precise standardized description sampling allow comparison replication; (4) evaluation testing bioinformatic pipelines enhance By enhancing various currently analyses, will improve long-term integrative potential surveying meiofauna.