Molecular characterization of the benthic fauna from VMEs in Flemish Cap
Vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) are highly sensitive to disturbance and often recover poorly. Examples include seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and fragile cold-water coral reefs with slow growth and low recruitment. Yet, they provide essential habitat for many organisms, including commercially valuable species. Recognized as biodiversity hotspots, VMEs are increasingly targeted for protection from fishing practices, particularly bottom trawling which may impact benthic communities. Safeguarding these ecosystems requires non-destructive tools to describe and map seabed biodiversity. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a promising approach, requiring only water sampling. However, its effectiveness relies on public DNA databases, which remain incomplete and error-prone, particularly for invertebrates in understudied habitats. One such area is the Flemish Cap, an isolated seamount with a long history of exploitation, home to indicator groups of VMEs yet still poorly documented. To address this gap, a 2022 survey collected and identified marine invertebrates through classical taxonomy and DNA barcoding (COI and 16S), providing essential reference data to support non-invasive conservation strategies. Collaboration between taxonomists and geneticists is crucial to strengthen biodiversity assessments and develop reliable, non-invasive monitoring tools for these fragile environments.