Exploring Soil Mite Diversity in Chinese Tropical Rainforests through eDNA metabarcoding. Mites and other arthropods

This study employs eDNA metabarcoding to investigate soil mite diversity in Chinese tropical rainforests. Soil samples from diverse microhabitats will be collected non-invasively, and DNA extraction and amplification will target the COI gene region specific to soil mites. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis will be used to assess alpha and beta diversity, revealing both known and potentially cryptic species. The research aims to provide insights into the ecological roles of soil mites and their implications for rainforest conservation. Acknowledging the challenges of eDNA metabarcoding, the study will implement rigorous quality control measures. The findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of soil mite communities in these ecosystems, informing conservation strategies and paving the way for future research avenues.