Environmental DNA metabarcoding dataset of mammals from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Melina Pellegrino Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CADIC - CONICET

Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego 9410 AR

melinapellegrino@gmail.com 0009-0007-5002-4560 Julieta Sánchez Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CADIC - CONICET

Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego 9410 AR

julisnchz@gmail.com 0000-0003-1192-7613 Sebastián Poljak Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CADIC - CONICET

Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego 9410 AR

sebapoljak@hotmail.com 0000-0001-7972-9352 Melina Pellegrino Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CADIC - CONICET

Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego 9410 AR

melinapellegrino@gmail.com 0009-0007-5002-4560 2026-06-08 eng This dataset contains mammal occurrence records obtained through environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of freshwater samples collected across Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Environmental DNA was extracted from filtered water samples and amplified targeting the 12S rRNA gene using the MiMammal-U universal primer set. Amplicons were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq™ platform (2 × 300 bp) through the sequencing service of ANLIS "Dr. Carlos Malbrán" (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Taxonomic assignments were performed using curated reference databases to identify mammal taxa present in the sampled basins. The dataset includes records of both native and non-native mammal species and provides valuable information for biodiversity assessment and monitoring in one of the southernmost regions of South America. Occurrence GBIF Dataset Type Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_type_2015-07-10.xml Observation GBIF Dataset Subtype Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_subtype.xml eDNA metabarcoding Tierra del Fuego Argentina freshwater biodiversity N/A This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) License. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International https://spdx.org/licenses/CC-BY-4.0.html CC-BY-4.0 https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/handle/11336/264351 The dataset includes freshwater sampling sites distributed across Tierra del Fuego Province, southern Argentina. Samples were collected from five river systems representing a range of environments: Río Olivia, Río Lasifashaj, Río Milna, Río Ewan Norte, and Río Grande. -68.599 -66.643 -53.199 -54.737 2024-04-16 2024-04-16 All mammal taxa detected in freshwater samples were identified to species level using environmental DNA metabarcoding. species Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat species Euneomys chinchilloides Patagonian chinchilla mouse species Castor canadensis American beaver species Lycalopex griseus Gray fox species Lycalopex culpaeus Red fox species Lama guanicoe Guanaco species Bos taurus Domestic cattle species Oligoryzomys longicaudatus Long-tailed Colilargo species Abrothrix xanthorhina Yellow-nosed Grass Mouse species Lontra provocax Southern river otter species Canis lupus domesticus dog species Rattus rattus Black rat species Ctenomys magellanicus Ctenomys magellanicus species Neogale vison American mink species Abrothrix longipilis Long-haired grass mouse species Sus scrofa Wild boa species Rattus norvegicus Norway rat Additionally, two fish species were detected in the samples and identified to species level. species Salmo trutta Brown trout species Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow trout The primary objective of this dataset is to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding for detecting mammal species in freshwater ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The dataset was generated to assess the potential of this non-invasive approach as a biodiversity monitoring tool in remote and environmentally challenging regions. In addition, the study aimed to optimize sampling and analytical procedures for the application of eDNA metabarcoding in the province, providing baseline information for future monitoring and conservation programs. Monitoring mammal biodiversity in Tierra del Fuego is challenging due to the region's remoteness, harsh environmental conditions, and the logistical constraints associated with traditional survey methods. eDNA metabarcoding has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach for biodiversity assessment, enabling the detection of species from genetic material released into the environment. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have facilitated the use of eDNA for monitoring vertebrate communities in aquatic ecosystems.This dataset contains mammal occurrence records obtained from freshwater samples collected in rivers across Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Samples were analyzed using metabarcoding of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene amplified with MiMammal-U primers and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. The resulting records provide information on the occurrence of native and non-native mammal species and contribute to the evaluation of eDNA metabarcoding as a tool for biodiversity assessment and conservation in southern Patagonia. The dataset consists of occurrence records derived from environmental DNA metabarcoding analyses of freshwater samples collected in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Each record corresponds to the detection of a taxon in a specific water sample. The dataset includes information on sampling location, geographic coordinates, sampling date, taxonomic identification, and sample identifiers. Taxonomic assignments were performed using curated reference databases following bioinformatic processing of sequencing data. The dataset is formatted according to Darwin Core standards to facilitate integration and reuse through GBIF and other biodiversity data repositories. This dataset is associated with a specific research project. notPlanned Melina Pellegrino Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CADIC - CONICET

Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego 9410 AR

melinapellegrino@gmail.com 0009-0007-5002-4560 1. Collection of freshwater samples from five river systems in Tierra del Fuego. 2. Filtration of water samples through 0.45 µm nitrocellulose membranes. 3. Extraction of environmental DNA using a CTAB-based protocol. 4. Amplification of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene using MiMammal-U primers. 5. High-throughput sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform (2 × 300 bp). 6. Bioinformatic processing including quality filtering, read merging, chimera removal, and OTU generation. 7. Taxonomic assignment using a curated local reference database. 8. Generation of occurrence records from validated species detections. Temporal coverage: 16-Apr-2024 to 16-Apr-2024 Frequency of sampling: One-time sampling event Sampling effort: 20 samples, 5 rivers, 4 replicates per site Study extent: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Water samples for this eDNA study were collected from five river sites in TdF Province on April 16, 2024. The sampling sites included the Grande, Ewan, Milna, Lasifashaj, and Olivia Rivers. At each site, four 5 L replicate water samples were collected at the same sampling location (n = 20 L per site) to maximize the detection of rare species. Sampling was conducted using sterile gloves to prevent cross-contamination. Each replicate was obtained by submerging a sterile container submerged just below the surface, upstream from the operator, to minimize the risk of contamination. Samples were transported and stored in a cold chamber at 4 °C. Water filtration was performed within 72 hours using sterile microbiological monitors with 0.45 µm pore diameter nitrocellulose filters to retain cellular material. Although the initial sample volume was 5 L, effective filtration was limited to 1 L per replicate due to high sediment loads. To monitor for potential contamination during sampling and filtration, a 5 L field blank of distilled water was treated under the identical conditions. Filters were subsequently stored at -80 °C until DNA extraction. Field and laboratory controls were included to minimize contamination and ensure data quality. A field blank consisting of distilled water was processed alongside environmental samples during sampling and filtration. Negative PCR controls were included during library preparation. Sequence quality was assessed using FastQC, and raw reads were filtered, trimmed, merged, and screened for chimeras prior to taxonomic assignment. Taxonomic identification was performed using a curated reference database. Species occurrences were retained only after applying bioinformatic. Melina Pellegrino 0009-0007-5002-4560 principalInvestigator This project evaluated the effectiveness of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding for detecting mammal species in freshwater ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Water samples collected from five river systems were analyzed using MiMammal-U primers targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene and high-throughput sequencing. The project aimed to validate eDNA metabarcoding as a biodiversity monitoring tool in remote and environmentally challenging regions and to optimize protocols for its future application in wildlife monitoring and conservation programs in Tierra del Fuego. This work was funded the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (PIP 11220210100691CO 2022–2024) and Fundación Williams (Project 630). The study was conducted in Tierra del Fuego Province, southern Argentina. Freshwater samples were collected from five river systems (Grande, Ewan, Milna, Lasifashaj, and Olivia Rivers) representing a range of environments including steppe, ecotone, forest, and mountain ecosystems. The project evaluated the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding for detecting mammal species in freshwater ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego. At each river, four replicate water samples were collected and filtered for eDNA analysis. DNA was extracted from filters, amplified targeting a fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene using MiMammal-U primers, and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Taxonomic assignments were performed using a curated local reference database and a standardized bioinformatic workflow. The resulting occurrence records were used to assess mammalian diversity and evaluate the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding as a biodiversity monitoring tool. 2026-06-08T17:00:29.359+00:00 dataset Pellegrino M, Sánchez J, Poljak S (2026). Mammal diversity in remote and harsh habitats: validating the power of environmental DNA metabarcoding at the southernmost tip of South America. Version 1.0. CADIC. Occurrence dataset. https://ipt.mincyt.gob.ar/resource?r=cadic-metabarcoding&v=1.0