Use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor terrestrial mammal diversity following riparian outlets along the Colombian Pacific coast in armed conflict areas

Abstract In Colombia, monitoring biodiversity studies is hindered due to logistical, economic and security issues due to armed conflict. This study aimed for the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor mammalian diversity following riparian outlets along the Colombian Pacific coast. Fieldwork was conducted during two different periods, August to November 2021 and February to May 2022. A total of five orders of terrestrial mammals were recorded, distributed in ten families and 17 species. The most abundant orders were Rodentia and Didelphimorphia, with a total of six and five species each. Our methodology can detect relevant and emblematic terrestrial species reported for the region with traditional methods, such as Chironectes minimus and Cabassous centralis , as well as species that had not been confirmed to occur in that area, like Speothos venaticus . Our results demonstrate the high potential for the development of the eDNA tool in Colombia for detection of vulnerable species and, in the future, supporting conservation processes.