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Tank bromeliads provide a freshwater microhabitat for a rich aquatic
community, including amphibian species. Some of these amphibians are
threatened, among other factors, because their host plants are also
threatened. DNA traces left behind by amphibians in the water accumulated
in bromeliads provide us a clue to track the presence and geographical
distribution of these species in the environment, even when they have a
low population abundance. We used an environmental DNA metabarcoding
approach to survey three bromeligenous or bromelicolous amphibian species
distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. The three species have a low
population abundance or are not detected in the field by using traditional
methods for up to 100 years. No DNA trace of our target species was
identified among the eDNA samples analysed. However, we successfully
identified the DNA of one tribe, two genera and nine amphibian species in
the bromeliads surveyed. Our results support the high sensitivity and the
non-invasive characteristic of eDNA metabarcoding for surveying
bromeligenous/bromelicolous amphibians. We also highlight that more
amphibian species could eventually use bromeliads as shelter than has been
previously thought, evidencing the importance for further investigations
about interactions and conservation status of amphibians and bromeliads.
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