A step towards the validation of bacteria biotic indices using DNA metabarcoding for benthic monitoring.

摘要: Environmental genomics is a promising field for monitoring biodiversity in timely fashion. Efforts have increasingly been dedicated to the use of bacteria DNA derived data develop biotic indices benthic monitoring. However, substantial debate exists about whether bacteria-derived using metabarcoding should follow, example, taxonomy-based or taxonomy-free approach marine bioassessments. Here, we showcase value DNA-based impact fish farming as an example anthropogenic disturbances coastal areas and compare performance approaches detecting environmental alterations. We analysed samples collected near farm cages along distance gradients from two aquaculture installations, at control sites, evaluate effect this activity on bacterial assemblages. Using putative response taxa stress calculated index microgAMBI. The distribution individual amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), function gradient sediment acid volatile sulphides, was then used derive specific set de novo based quantile regression splines. Our results show that microgAMBI revealed organically enriched environment gradient. outperformed by providing higher discriminatory power changes abiotic factors directly related production, whilst allowing identification new ASVs bioindicators. strategy applied here represents robust method define bioindicators regions habitats where no previous information stressors exists.