Size‐dependent release and temperature‐dependent degradation of salmonid environmental <scp>DNA</scp> under laboratory conditions

The degradation of environmental DNA (eDNA) and its release from fish were investigated in laboratory experiments for seven salmonid fishes. The eDNA concentration in experimental tanks without fish decreased exponentially, with a higher rate of decline observed under higher water temperature conditions. When a fish was introduced into a tank, the eDNA concentration was positively correlated with the length and weight of the fish.