Raw data of eDNA quantities from an experimental study testing temperature, water masses, and fish species

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a very promising approach to facilitate and
improve the aquatic species monitoring, which is crucial for their
management and conservation. In comparison with the plethora of monitoring
studies in the fields, relatively few studies have focused on
experimentally investigating the “ecology” of eDNA, in particular
pertaining to processes influencing the detection of eDNA. The paucity of
knowledge about its ecology hampers the use of eDNA analysis to its full
potential. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the impact of
several biotic and abiotic factors on the rate of production and
degradation of eDNA. Individuals of three freshwater fish species (brown
bullhead, tench, and yellow perch) with distinct ecology were placed in
two types of water from the St. Lawrence River (Québec, Canada) with very
distinct physicochemical characteristics and at three different
temperatures. Water samples were then filtered at predetermined time
intervals, and quantitative PCR was used to quantify the eDNA in each
sample. We found that temperature, species, water types, and some
interactions between these factors had a strong effect on the production
and degradation of eDNA. The results of this study enhance our knowledge
about the ecology of eDNA, thus improving eDNA data interpretation.