Algal community composition and associated fish eDNA in southern Lake Michigan shoreline deposits (2024)

This data set includes information on algae community composition and metadata for fish environmental DNA (eDNA) samples collected along the shoreline of southern Lake Michigan in late August 2024. Washed up, floating, and attached algae were collected along shore and in wadable water. Algal community observations were performed by microscopy to determine primary and secondary dominance levels of five major algae groups: (1) Cladophora spp., (2) Chara spp., (3) diatoms, (4) non-branching filamentous green algae, and (5) other algae. Microscopic examination provided quantitative assessments of relative percent cover of algal groups. Algal and water subsamples were simultaneously collected for eDNA analysis, and sample metadata for DNA extracts are included in this data release. DNA extracts were used for MiFish metabarcoding, which is a DNA-based, sequencing technique that uses a set of universal primers to identify fish communities in fresh and marine waters. Associated sequences are available in NCBI Bioproject: PRJNA1216981.