Uso da técnica do ADN ambiental (eDNA) como uma ferramenta promissora na detenção e no monitoramento de espécies exóticas invasoras e nativas no ambiente marinho

Abstract

In the current scenario, biodiversity is threatened by disturbances such as the occurrence of invasive alien species, threatening the occurrence of native species, due to several factors such as the overlapping of niches, causing competition with native species, which can culminate in the reduction or extinction of native species, and contribute to the imbalance of marine ecosystems. Detection can be challenging in the marine environment, as it has no barriers, which makes the detection and monitoring of exotic and native species challenging, and sometimes traditional methods can be limited and time-consuming. The environmental DNA (eDNA) technique was recently developed, with the development of the quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique and new-generation sequencers. The technique consists of identifying the organism without the presence of the organism being necessary; in the environment in which they are inserted they leave “footprints” which are their excretions. This technique has already been introduced in some countries in America, Asia, Europe, and in some countries in Africa. It has been used to detect invasive species, identify soil microorganisms, or identify communities of organisms in streams, reservoirs, and marine environments using water samples. The results are obtained quickly and automatically over large areas, and the richness of species identified is greater than that obtained using other methods. Sampling at regular intervals also allows for environmental monitoring, detecting changes such as the emergence or disappearance of species over time. Thus, this work aims to contribute to the knowledge of this promising technique, taking into account the current scenario in Maputo Bay, which refers to the occurrence of exotic shrimp species. This promising technique could help in the detention and monitoring of these species, which are possibly competing with native shrimp species of high ecological and economic value. However, interventions are necessary to minimize the possible impacts of the occurrence of these species, actions such as: (research, baseline data, monitoring plan, management plan and handling of exotic and native species) for the main objective, which is the conservation and protection of native species from possible extinction in the long term, as this scenario could be the beginning of several other disturbances in the marine ecosystem, as in this environment the effects are in the form of a cascade.(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)