Parameterizing the particle size distribution of macrobial eDNA using
the Weibull distribution model
Abstract
Knowledge of the persistent state of environmental DNA (eDNA) particles
in water and modeling its particle size distribution (PSD) is crucial to
refine the eDNA sampling strategy. Previous studies measured eDNA
concentrations at different size fractions to infer eDNA PSDs, whereas
such discrete PSDs greatly depend on filter pore sizes used and may
potentially bias our understanding of eDNA states. Here, I evaluated the
Weibull distribution model as a tool for parameterizing eDNA PSDs.
First, of the selected models developed for PSDs, the Weibull model was
fitted most accurately to the eDNA PSD. Second, the Weibull parameters
significantly varied depending on target genetic regions
(mitochondrial/nuclear), time passages, and species, which also
substantially changed the eDNA capture efficiency at a given filter pore
size. According to the results, the higher detectability of multi-copy
nuclear eDNA than mitochondrial one could partly be accounted for
differences in their PSDs, a larger pore size filter could be suitable
to detect the eDNA releases associating incidental events, and the
optimum filter pore size for sufficient eDNA detection could be
different among the taxa. Although further consideration is needed, this
study provided the groundwork for optimizing the strategy of aqueous
eDNA sampling, which contributes to efficient biodiversity conservation
and ecosystem management.