Assessment of Amazonian aquatic biodiversity using environmental DNA
My postdoctoral research builds on my previous work on the development of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches for the evaluation of Amazonian biodiversity.
This project specifically aims to advance the use of eDNA for the study of freshwater fish communities in Bolivia. This work will first focus on the construction of a molecular reference database for fish species, which is essential for reliable species identification from eDNA samples. Particular attention will be given to the development of sequencing approaches using the MinION, in order to enhance the feasibility of molecular analyses conducted directly in the field. In parallel, eDNA sampling campaigns will enable a first assessment of aquatic biodiversity in several Amazonian regions of Bolivia.
This project will significantly improve current knowledge of Bolivian aquatic biodiversity, which remains largely underestimated, and will strengthen monitoring tools for the conservation of Amazonian freshwater ecosystems.
