Seasonal differences in fish community structure in the upper Yangtze river based on eDNA metabarcoding: A multi-dimensional analysis

This study used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to monitor fish communities at 14 sites along the upper Yangtze River across four seasons, aiming to understand seasonal variations in community structure. This study reflects on the current status of fish community structure in the region by leveraging an analytical discussion on the composition of fish species and functional groups, the application of 16 multidimensional diversity indices, and the relationships between fish communities and environmental variables. A total of 120 fish species were detected. The communities predominantly consisted of species that produce sticky eggs, are sedentary, and have omnivorous diets. However, the relative abundance of species producing drifting eggs, migratory, and carnivore fish groups was higher in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer. Except for the functional evenness index (FEve), all other functional diversity indices, as well as α diversity, taxonomic diversity, and ph..., , , # Data from: Seasonal differences in fish community structure in the upper Yangtze river based on eDNA metabarcoding: A multi-dimensional analysis

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rn8pk0pnw](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rn8pk0pnw)

## Description of the data and file structure

### Dataset description

This dataset includes fish environmental DNA data collected in the upper Yangtze River from 2021 to 2022 across all four seasons, as well as intermediate data and some analysis code used in the article.

### File descriptions

File: OTU.xlsx

Format: .xlsx

Description: This file contains the fundamental data for this study, supporting all analyses presented in the article.

* *Order*: The taxonomic order of the species.
* *Family*: The taxonomic order of the species.
* *Genus*: The taxonomic genus of the species.
* *Species*: The full scientific name (binomial) of the species.
* *Sample Name Columns, e.g., XZ1, JA1……, ZG4, etc.*: The subsequent columns in this data table are named after ...,