Description
Data Records
The data in this occurrence resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 205 records.
This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.
Versions
The table below shows only published versions of the resource that are publicly accessible.
How to cite
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
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
Rights
Researchers should respect the following rights statement:
The publisher and rights holder of this work is Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas - CADIC CONICET. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) License.
GBIF Registration
This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: 72576e57-9a9d-4c05-9c5b-8b035ee44a49. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas - CADIC CONICET publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by GBIF Argentina.
Keywords
Occurrence; Observation; eDNA; metabarcoding; Tierra del Fuego; Argentina; freshwater; biodiversity
Contacts
- Metadata Provider ●
- Originator ●
- Point Of Contact
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5002-4560
- Originator
- Originator
Geographic Coverage
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.
| Bounding Coordinates | South West [-54.737, -68.599], North East [-53.199, -66.643] |
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Taxonomic Coverage
All mammal taxa detected in freshwater samples were identified to species level using environmental DNA metabarcoding.
| Species | Ondatra zibethicus (Muskrat), Euneomys chinchilloides (Patagonian chinchilla mouse), Castor canadensis (American beaver), Lycalopex griseus (Gray fox), Lycalopex culpaeus (Red fox), Lama guanicoe (Guanaco), Bos taurus (Domestic cattle), Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Long-tailed Colilargo), Abrothrix xanthorhina (Yellow-nosed Grass Mouse), Lontra provocax (Southern river otter), Canis lupus domesticus (dog), Rattus rattus (Black rat), Ctenomys magellanicus (Ctenomys magellanicus), Neogale vison (American mink), Abrothrix longipilis (Long-haired grass mouse), Sus scrofa (Wild boa), Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) |
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Additionally, two fish species were detected in the samples and identified to species level.
| Species | Salmo trutta (Brown trout), Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow trout) |
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Temporal Coverage
| Start Date | 2024-04-16 |
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Project Data
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.
| Title | Mammal diversity in remote and harsh habitats: validating the power of environmental DNA metabarcoding at the southernmost tip of South America |
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| Funding | This work was funded the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (PIP 11220210100691CO 2022–2024) and Fundación Williams (Project 630). |
| Study Area Description | 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. |
| Design Description | 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. |
The personnel involved in the project:
Sampling Methods
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.
| Study Extent | 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 |
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| Quality Control | 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. |
Method step description:
- 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.
Additional Metadata
| Introduction | |
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| Getting Started | |
| Purpose | |
| Maintenance Description | This dataset is associated with a specific research project. |