Reported here are the metabarcoding read numbers and biomass data assessed from a fish community in a southern Florida pond in Pinecrest Gardens after invasive species eradication and native restocking in 2017 and 2018 in linear regression models. This dataframe contains the number of fish of each species identified, their measured lengths estimated population surface area, and the number of metabarcoding reads (with SD and COV) for each species observed from the sampling date.

Reported here are the metabarcoding read numbers and biomass data assessed from a fish community in a southern Florida pond in Pinecrest Gardens after invasive species eradication and native restocking in 2017 and 2018 in linear regression models. This dataframe contains the number of fish of each species identified, their measured lengths estimated population surface area, and the number of metabarcoding reads (with SD and COV) for each species observed from the sampling date.

Biological indicator taxa have long been used for integrative assessments of water quality, particularly benthic invertebrate groups such as arthropods. While standardized protocols have been developed to calculate 'biological index' scores based on the abundances of these taxa, such systems are challenging to implement at large scales due to the sampling effort required, taxonomic expertise needed, and the need for repeated sampling to reliably discriminate sites. Many of the same taxa detected by traditional surveys can also be detected by genetic analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA), potentially allowing for an alternative formulation of biological indexes that might be faster and more economical to produce. The current data were produced to evaluate eDNA-derived biological indexes at sites within the Potomac River watershed of the eastern United States, specifically within units of the National Park Service for which previous biological assessment data were available. This data release consists of five files: 1. sample.metadata.txt, which contains sampling metadata and identifiers linking to sample-derived sequence data that has been deposited in the Sequence Read Archive of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This database is authoritative and comprehensive for sharing high-throughput sequence data produced with public funds. All accessions listed in the file can be searched to retrieve sample and sequence information at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2. cox1.references.fasta, which contains reference sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase 1gene of arthropods (typically abbreviated cox1 or COI), identified from regional checklists. The file is a text file in FASTA format. 3. mt16S.references.fasta, which contains reference sequences of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (mt16S) gene of arthropods identified from regional checklists. The file is a text file in FASTA format. 4. first.stage.counts.txt, which is a tab-delimited table of counts of sequences that are attributed to each taxon from each sample for the first stage of the study. Whether the taxon attribution is from the mt16S or cox1 locus is also indicated. 5. second.stage.counts.txt, which is a tab-delimited table of counts of sequences that are attributed to each taxon from each sample for the second stage of the study. Whether the taxon attribution is from the mt16S or cox1 locus is also indicated.

The dataset contains sequencing read counts of fish prey eDNA metabarcoding (using primers targeting the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene) that were extracted from fecal and cloacal swab samples collected from common loons (Gavia immer) captured on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, Crow Wing County, Minnesota during 2015-2106. Sample type (cloacal or fecal); loon identification, age, and sex; capture date and location; and prey detections for each sample are provided.

The dataset contains sequencing read counts of fish prey eDNA metabarcoding (using primers targeting the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene) that were extracted from fecal and cloacal swab samples collected from common loons (Gavia immer) captured on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, Crow Wing County, Minnesota during 2015-2106. Sample type (cloacal or fecal); loon identification, age, and sex; capture date and location; and prey detections for each sample are provided.

A survey of environmental DNA was performed in Tunison Creek downstream of the USGS Tunison Aquatic Laboratory. The goal of the survey was to characterize the source ecological community at multiple trophic or taxonomic levels by associating DNA fragments with reference databases. Three taxonomically informative genetic loci were used: the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 locus, the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal locus, and the bacterial/organellar 16S ribosomal locus. The data set includes a list of sample and sequence accessions residing in the National Center for Biotechnology Information databases, which provide the raw data for analysis or re-use. The data also includes the representative sequences of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and their abundance and taxonomic assignment, which are the primary endpoints of the data collection.

Since 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center's Lake Erie Biological Station (LEBS) has participated in a collaborative, multiagency effort to assess pelagic prey fish populations in the western (WB), central (CB), and eastern (EB) basins of Lake Erie through a combination of hydroacoustic and midwater trawl sampling. Assessing lake-wide distribution and abundance of pelagic prey species over time facilitates evaluation of large-scale drivers of fish production while also considering food-web dynamics at a smaller sub-basin scale. Information from this survey will support decision making within an ecosystem-based fishery management framework. In support of binational Great Lakes fishery management, the objectives of this survey are to provide density estimates of key pelagic prey species across Lake Erie, to assess spatial distributions of fishes, and annual fluctuations in abundance. A stratified-random sampling approach including 24 strata was carried out during July (Summer), starting in 2022. This data release adds 2023 data to the set for a total of 2 years using the standardized survey design and data processing workflow.

The data released are associated with an examination of eDNA from round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus) in a series of field sample collections (lake nearshore and stream transport) and in vitro laboratory experiments. The round goby was used as a model for our source of eDNA in the field collections and mesocosm experiments. The field samples for lake nearshore (water and sediment) were collected from two Lake Michigan shoreline locations (Portage Lakefront, Portage, Indiana and Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana) to examine the detectability of eDNA, the influence of sediment on eDNA estimates, and eDNA spatial and temporal resolution. The field samples for stream transport (water) were collected from Brown Ditch, a Lake Michigan stream, and were used to model and test eDNA transport. Rates for eDNA shedding and decay in water and sediment were developed using in vitro laboratory experiments and provided a comparison of eDNA behavior (persistence and degradation) and detection in water and sediment.

The data released are associated with an examination of eDNA from round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus) in a series of field sample collections (lake nearshore and stream transport) and in vitro laboratory experiments. The round goby was used as a model for our source of eDNA in the field collections and mesocosm experiments. The field samples for lake nearshore (water and sediment) were collected from two Lake Michigan shoreline locations (Portage Lakefront, Portage, Indiana and Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana) to examine the detectability of eDNA, the influence of sediment on eDNA estimates, and eDNA spatial and temporal resolution. The field samples for stream transport (water) were collected from Brown Ditch, a Lake Michigan stream, and were used to model and test eDNA transport. Rates for eDNA shedding and decay in water and sediment were developed using in vitro laboratory experiments and provided a comparison of eDNA behavior (persistence and degradation) and detection in water and sediment.