Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42830672›Full record

ArticleMolecular ecology resources2026

Simplifying Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity Assessment: A Standardised Metabarcoding Method for Invertebrate Samples With High Volumes of Debris.

Melissa Carew, Jessica Chung, Geneveive Hehir, Ary Hoffmann, Rhys Coleman

Abstract readEvaluation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Molecular ecology resources, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Melissa CarewWaterway Ecosystem Research Group (WERG), School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5833-6410
Jessica ChungMelbourne Bioinformatics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0627-0955
Geneveive HehirWaterway Ecosystem Research Group (WERG), School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
Ary HoffmannPest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group (PEARG), School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Rhys ColemanWaterway Ecosystem Research Group (WERG), School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5072-3504

Funding

Australian Research Council LP200100381
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

DNA metabarcoding of freshwater macroinvertebrate samples can provide rapid and accurate identification of species diversity. Processing samples where macroinvertebrates are not separated from net contents can substantially reduce time and cost. We devised and tested a standardised method for processing combined kick/sweep samples using DNA metabarcoding to provide accurate estimates of macroinvertebrate species diversity. Kick and sweep samples were collected from 10 sites across Greater Melbourne known to vary in catchment land use, macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity as well as the type and volume of sampling debris. A sieving, blending and DNA extraction protocol was developed to reduce large debris, rocks and sand in samples, and to concentrate macroinvertebrates for metabarcoding. Variable percentages of the dry weight of samples from each site were used as a source of DNA for metabarcoding. We found that the macroinvertebrate species diversity recovered was mostly consistent when processing different percentages (20%-40%) of dry weight, but a minimum dry weight would be recommended for samples with low total dry weight. We present a method with a laboratory and bioinformatic workflow that enables the cost-effective and reliable processing of large volume samples, like those encountered in freshwater bioassessment. This metabarcoding approach has potential to be applied to any invertebrate biodiversity analysis where invertebrates are not separated from sampling debris, regardless of volume and composition, and used on samples varying in species abundance, diversity and density.

Indexed as

BiodiversityDNA Barcoding, TaxonomicInvertebratesMetagenomicsAnimalsAustraliaFresh Waterbiodiversitybioinformaticsinvertebratesmacroinvertebratesmetabarcodingworkflow

Identifiers

PMID42830672
PMCPMC13635761

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.