eDNA metabarcoding of decapod crustaceans across Indonesian seas has implications for biodiversity conservation and fisheries sustainability

Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are increasingly viewed as alternate or complementary approaches to conventional capture-based surveys for marine conservation and fisheries management purposes, especially at large spatial scales in mega-biodiversity regions such Indonesia. Decapod crustacean distribution diversity across Indonesia still poorly known, even economically important commodities. This study assessed coral reef associated decapod by sampling 40 sites three (West, Central, East), representing 17 provinces 10 Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) Indonesia, with a special focus on the blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus . sequencing (Illumina iSeq100) data were analysed mBRAVE (Multiplex Barcode Research And Visualization Environment) yielded 406 OTUs belonging 32 families, 47 genera 51 species identified. The number of families identified was highest Central region (25), while most (31) (36) West region. Alpha did not differ significantly between provinces, Beta differed but regions. Our results also showed 31 possibility native based meanwhile 12 do appear have been recorded SeaLifeBase WorMS. While providing reference further exploration Indonesian coastal small island biodiversity, high proportion unidentified taxa calls concerted efforts develop maintain specimen sequence repositories expand status assessments. crustaceans this included crabs ( Charybdis anisodon, japonica, ), freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense lobster Panulirus stimpsoni ) two penaeid shrimps Mierspenaeopsis hardwickii Trachysalambria aspera ). For taxa, observed patterns indicate under existing provincial and/or FMA level structures is appropriate. Furthermore, can inform science-based strategies, particular P.