Monitoring of Myocastor coypus using environmental DNA and estimation of the potential habitat in Yamaguchi prefecture

Myocastor coypus is a mammal designated as invasive alien species. Intrusion prevention and control of this species is desired from both ecological conservation and river management. In this study, we determined the distribution of this species by using eDNA analysis in broad area of Yamaguchi prefecture (Japan) and we estimated the potential habitat by using GIS and maximum entropy modeling (Maxent). These results showed that the distribution of M. coypus has already expanded in wide areas in Yamaguchi prefecture and there is a risk of invasion and colonization in the middle and lower stream of the rivers regardless of watershed characteristics.