Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and fish visual census reveals the first record of Doboatherina magnidentata in the Philippines

Abstract. Bautista JA, Manubag JJ, Sumaya NH, Martinez JG, Tabugo SR. 2023. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and fish visual census reveals the first record of Doboatherina magnidentatain Philippines. Biodiversitas 24: 3063-3072. Biodiversity monitoring is cornerstone for conserving marine species. However, classical methods, like Fish Visual Census (FVC), are often limited due to sampling difficulties, occurrence rare cryptic organisms, reliance on a taxonomic expert species identification. Recently, environmental has been suggested as non-invasive, powerful tool biomonitoring. This study evaluates eDNA approach complementary FVC data in detection identification important fishes from sanctuary Dalipuga, Iligan City, The findings obtained through provide insights into identifying significant Notably, presence Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, 1852 (yellow seahorse), categorized vulnerable threatened species, was detected. Additionally, identified Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus Rüppell, 1837 (bluestripe herring), native Philippines that may pose potential risks humans ecological balance. Furthermore, two demersal namely Large-scale whiting (Sillaginops macrolepis 1858) mullet (Planiliza Smith, 1846), were also delineated morphologically Scaridae (parrotfishes) Mugilidae (mullet fish) taxa level. highlight this detectionof new Indo-pacific atherinomorine magnidentata, which best our knowledge, Philippine waters. Despite efficiency identification, viability environment biases primer limit method. Thus, method must complement molecular better resolution community analysis. Future studies recommended use multigene improve sensitivity reduce biases.