Cryptic biodiversity: A portfolio‐approach to coral reef fish surveys

A portfolio of visual, extractive, and molecular methods, particularly environmental DNA (eDNA), can significantly enhance the detection of cryptobenthic fish species in tropical reef ecosystems. This study demonstrates that eDNA sampling from filtered water detects up to six times more cryptobenthic fish species per site than traditional anesthetic-based extractive methods, offering a more efficient and comprehensive approach for biodiversity monitoring. While eDNA proved highly effective, some species were only detected using anesthetics, indicating that a combination of techniques may be necessary for the most thorough assessment. The research also reveals distinct spatial variations in cryptobenthic fish assemblages among sites and depths (2–3 m), suggesting fine-scale differences that could inform conservation strategies. This study highlights the potential of eDNA as a powerful tool for assessing biodiversity, while acknowledging its limitations and the need for integrated sampling approaches.

Bessey, C., Depczynski, M., Goetze, J. S., Moore, G., Fulton, C. J., Snell, M., Parsons, S. K., Berry, O., & Wilson, S. (2023). Cryptic biodiversity: A portfolio‐approach to coral reef fish surveys. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 21(10), 594–605. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10567