Environmental DNA in the Kuroshio reveals environment-dependent distribution of economically important small pelagic fish

Introduction Small pelagic fishes constitute large proportions of fisheries and are important components linking lower higher trophic levels in marine ecosystems. Many small the Northwest Pacific spawn upstream Kuroshio spend their juvenile stage Front area, indicating that Current system impacts stock fluctuations. However, distribution these fish relative to has not been determined due dynamic spatio-temporal fluctuations system. Here, recent development environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring enabled us investigate patterns four economically (Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus , Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus chub mackerel Scomber japonicus, blue australasicus ) Methods The influence factors, such as sea water temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration, chlorophyll-a prey on occurrence quantity target eDNA was analyzed using generalized additive models. In addition, detection (presence) were compared between offshore inshore side areas axis. Results Sea temperature showed effect, especially anchovy, whereas pattern greatly influenced by (especially potential fish: anchovy). we found species could be observed or around axis, while they hardly side. Conclusion Based data, succeeded revealing detailed spatial hypothesized predator–prey relationships communities.