Survey of fish distribution in major water systems in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan using quantitative metabarcoding

Forest degradation due to overabundant deer populations has become a problem worldwide. Effects of deer overabundance are not limited within terrestrial ecosystems but also spread to aquatic ecosystems. River catchments were extracted on a tip of basin that are similar in area but differ the timing of the occurrence of deer-induced damages from all watersheds of the major river systems in Hyogo prefecture, Japan. 95 catchment areas were selected for the sampling sites based on geological, climatic and vegetation characteristics, and eliminated areas with a large dam and/or a large quarry, and near the estuary. Quantitative eDNA metabarcoding based on MiFish 12S primer were conducted in all extracted watersheds to investigate fish distribution. Effects of deer-induced forest degradation on fish population dynamics were examined based on eDNA monitoring models.