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[Newsletter No.29] eDNA Makes Aquatic Insects Detection Easier
CBD-CHM Newsletter Vol. 29
eDNA Makes Aquatic Insects Detection Easier
The Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR) of the Ministry of Environment has established a foundation for the easy detection of aquatic insects through environmental DNA (eDNA1)).
Aquatic insects living in the water are indicator species for assessing freshwater biodiversity and ecological health. However, traditional survey methods including physical collection and observation are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly.
To address these limitations, eDNA analysis offers a solution. This method detects the presence of species by identifying genetic material left by organisms in the environment without the need for physical collection. It is widely applied to various fields such as invasive species monitoring and endangered species management.
Since 2023, NNIBR has been developing eDNA analysis method specifically tailored to aquatic insects. As part of the efforts, the institute has compiled a database of 3.39 million genetic records of aquatic insects and set up experiment guidelines to improve analysis accuracy.
Based on this groundwork, NNIBR conducted a comparative research in the Namgang River area of Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do province in 2024 by using both traditional methods and eDNA analysis. The results showed that approximately 78% of collected aquatic insect species were also identified through eDNA analysis.
Furthermore, the relative proportions of major aquatic insect (EPT) group2) were similar between the two methods. This suggests that eDNA analysis could serve as a new approach for assessing water quality and aquatic ecosystem health.
1)
DNA left behind in water, soil, and air
2)
EPT group refers to aquatic insects belonging to Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. The abundance of EPT species can indicate the high water quality.
