Multi-marker DNA metabarcoding reflects tardigrade diversity in different habitats

Like meiofauna in general, tardigrades are often neglected ecological and environmental surveys. Tardigrades occur all parts of the world, from deep marine sediments to alpine environments, present most ecosystems. They therefore potentially good candidates for biomonitoring programs. However, sampling these minute animals is both tedious time-consuming, impeding their inclusion large-scale In this study we argue that using a multi-marker metabarcoding approach on DNA (eDNA) partly can overcome barrier. Samples moss, lichens, leaf litter were investigated by morphology-based methods metabarcoding, results compared terms tardigrade diversity community composition sampled microhabitats. three markers detected more species than identification morphology samples. Also, same differences microhabitat distribution patterns as methods. samples was unreliable, with only one out consistently amplifying detecting tardigrades. The low availability reference sequences public databases restricts taxonomic resolution eDNA surveys, but impediment circumvented utilizing multiple markers.