Alvaro Fueyo
@afueyo.bsky.social
Applying and developing DNA-based molecular tools for the study of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Working at #TaxusMedioAmbiente. Spain.
Metabarcoding | eDNA | Phylogenetics | Pop Gen
Working at #TaxusMedioAmbiente. Spain.
Metabarcoding | eDNA | Phylogenetics | Pop Gen
Pinned
Alvaro Fueyo
@afueyo.bsky.social
· Nov 17
(PDF) Assessing DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA for biomonitoring fluvial ecosystems using macroinvertebrates in peninsular Spain
PDF | Fluvial ecosystems play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, providing freshwater, and sustaining human societies. Despite their importance,... | Find, read and cite all the research you nee...
dx.doi.org
Thrilled to share that my thesis is now published! 🎉 Assessing DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA for biomonitoring fluvial ecosystems using macroinvertebrates in peninsular Spain.
You can access it here: dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.... 🌱🔬 #Macroinvertebrates #eDNA #Metabarcoding #FluvialEcosystems
You can access it here: dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.... 🌱🔬 #Macroinvertebrates #eDNA #Metabarcoding #FluvialEcosystems
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
DNA barcoding reference dataset revealed overlooked diversity and clarified biogeography of fishes in the largest European river system – Volga River.
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/arph...
@mbmg.pensoft.net
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/arph...
@mbmg.pensoft.net
DNA barcoding reference dataset revealed overlooked diversity and clarified biogeography of fishes in the largest European river system – Volga River
This study represents the first thorough genetic assessment of freshwater fishes from the Volga River basin – the longest (3,690 km) river in Europe. DNA barcode sequences (COI) were studied in ...
doi.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:42 PM
DNA barcoding reference dataset revealed overlooked diversity and clarified biogeography of fishes in the largest European river system – Volga River.
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/arph...
@mbmg.pensoft.net
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/arph...
@mbmg.pensoft.net
🌊 A few weeks ago I shared my PhD roadmap on metabarcoding for river biomonitoring — with a focus on peninsular Spain. What’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next for our freshwater ecosystems. 🔬
📢 We’ve just published the discussion & roadmap from my PhD thesis: a critical look at how metabarcoding of macroinvertebrates can (and cannot yet) be used for routine river biomonitoring.
Let me walk you through the key take-homes, and where the method still needs work. 🧵
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
Let me walk you through the key take-homes, and where the method still needs work. 🧵
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
Technical challenges in the implementation of macroinvertebrate DNA metabarcoding in river biomonitoring: A case study from peninsular Spain—Advantages, limitations and roadmap
This study evaluates the opportunities and challenges of using DNA metabarcoding of river macroinvertebrates for routine ecological status assessment under the EU Water Framework Directive. By reanal....
doi.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:02 AM
🌊 A few weeks ago I shared my PhD roadmap on metabarcoding for river biomonitoring — with a focus on peninsular Spain. What’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next for our freshwater ecosystems. 🔬
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Looking for openly available:
- before-after data in space
- with a restoration measure inbetween (e.g. dam/invasive spec. removal, urban green space creation...)
- min. 10 sites (quadrats / random places along a stream / ponds...)
- species data, env. data of some sort, GPS coordinates
- before-after data in space
- with a restoration measure inbetween (e.g. dam/invasive spec. removal, urban green space creation...)
- min. 10 sites (quadrats / random places along a stream / ponds...)
- species data, env. data of some sort, GPS coordinates
September 21, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Looking for openly available:
- before-after data in space
- with a restoration measure inbetween (e.g. dam/invasive spec. removal, urban green space creation...)
- min. 10 sites (quadrats / random places along a stream / ponds...)
- species data, env. data of some sort, GPS coordinates
- before-after data in space
- with a restoration measure inbetween (e.g. dam/invasive spec. removal, urban green space creation...)
- min. 10 sites (quadrats / random places along a stream / ponds...)
- species data, env. data of some sort, GPS coordinates
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
New Publication in The Journal of Fish Biology!
"Hidden in the gut: Metabarcoding reveals overlooked predation by the invasive European catfish (Silurus glanis)"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
"Hidden in the gut: Metabarcoding reveals overlooked predation by the invasive European catfish (Silurus glanis)"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
October 4, 2025 at 8:53 AM
New Publication in The Journal of Fish Biology!
"Hidden in the gut: Metabarcoding reveals overlooked predation by the invasive European catfish (Silurus glanis)"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
"Hidden in the gut: Metabarcoding reveals overlooked predation by the invasive European catfish (Silurus glanis)"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Had a great time at the SEM Malacology Forum presenting two research projects — one poster on the restoration of the Piles River and an oral communication on the sequencing of Iberian freshwater molluscs. 🐚🌊 #Malacology #Biodiversity #Metabarcoding
October 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Had a great time at the SEM Malacology Forum presenting two research projects — one poster on the restoration of the Piles River and an oral communication on the sequencing of Iberian freshwater molluscs. 🐚🌊 #Malacology #Biodiversity #Metabarcoding
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
DNA metabarcoding identifies more invertebrate species under the Water Framework Directive than conventional methods, showing promise for faster and finer river health monitoring in Slovakia’s Carpathian streams.
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/mbmg...
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/mbmg...
Evaluating the potential of DNA metabarcoding for ecological status assessment under the Water Framework Directive: A case study on benthic invertebrates from Western Carpathian streams
Routine biomonitoring under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) follows a conventional methodology primarily based on the morphological identification of taxa within the five biological quality elemen...
doi.org
October 3, 2025 at 7:22 AM
DNA metabarcoding identifies more invertebrate species under the Water Framework Directive than conventional methods, showing promise for faster and finer river health monitoring in Slovakia’s Carpathian streams.
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/mbmg...
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/mbmg...
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
In massive #collaborative #effort, we assembled published & unpublished #fish 🐟 #eDNA 🧬 metabarcoding datasets, covering ~2000 sampling sites/>100 river systems globally. 🐟 🐠 🐡 🌐 🌍
Now results out in 2 #parallel #preprints @biorxiv-ecology.bsky.social
#aquatic #biodiversity #meta-analysis
1/6🧵
Now results out in 2 #parallel #preprints @biorxiv-ecology.bsky.social
#aquatic #biodiversity #meta-analysis
1/6🧵
September 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
In massive #collaborative #effort, we assembled published & unpublished #fish 🐟 #eDNA 🧬 metabarcoding datasets, covering ~2000 sampling sites/>100 river systems globally. 🐟 🐠 🐡 🌐 🌍
Now results out in 2 #parallel #preprints @biorxiv-ecology.bsky.social
#aquatic #biodiversity #meta-analysis
1/6🧵
Now results out in 2 #parallel #preprints @biorxiv-ecology.bsky.social
#aquatic #biodiversity #meta-analysis
1/6🧵
📢 We’ve just published the discussion & roadmap from my PhD thesis: a critical look at how metabarcoding of macroinvertebrates can (and cannot yet) be used for routine river biomonitoring.
Let me walk you through the key take-homes, and where the method still needs work. 🧵
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
Let me walk you through the key take-homes, and where the method still needs work. 🧵
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
Technical challenges in the implementation of macroinvertebrate DNA metabarcoding in river biomonitoring: A case study from peninsular Spain—Advantages, limitations and roadmap
This study evaluates the opportunities and challenges of using DNA metabarcoding of river macroinvertebrates for routine ecological status assessment under the EU Water Framework Directive. By reanal....
doi.org
September 27, 2025 at 10:14 AM
📢 We’ve just published the discussion & roadmap from my PhD thesis: a critical look at how metabarcoding of macroinvertebrates can (and cannot yet) be used for routine river biomonitoring.
Let me walk you through the key take-homes, and where the method still needs work. 🧵
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
Let me walk you through the key take-homes, and where the method still needs work. 🧵
doi.org/10.1002/2688...
Our new paper shows how a small Iberian stream, dry for 50 years, bounced back to good ecological status in <2 years after environmental flows were restored. 🌊🪱
👉 doi.org/10.1111/rec.70198
#RiverRestoration #EnvironmentalFlows #FreshwaterEcology
👉 doi.org/10.1111/rec.70198
#RiverRestoration #EnvironmentalFlows #FreshwaterEcology
Back to life after 50 years: effects of environmental flow restoration on macroinvertebrate biodiversity and river ecological status. A case study of the Valseco stream, Spain
The construction of dams and reservoirs to meet increasing water and electricity demands has significantly altered many natural river flows, posing threats to the ecological integrity of freshwater e...
doi.org
September 17, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Our new paper shows how a small Iberian stream, dry for 50 years, bounced back to good ecological status in <2 years after environmental flows were restored. 🌊🪱
👉 doi.org/10.1111/rec.70198
#RiverRestoration #EnvironmentalFlows #FreshwaterEcology
👉 doi.org/10.1111/rec.70198
#RiverRestoration #EnvironmentalFlows #FreshwaterEcology
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
It's actually amazing how long I've been waiting for this. No more guessing which column has the querycovperc!
Plus, gzipped fastas for makeblastdb! Finally!
Plus, gzipped fastas for makeblastdb! Finally!
A BLAST update adding support for compressed files and csv output with headers is a Good Friday night surprise!
blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/doc/blast-ne...
blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/doc/blast-ne...
2025 BLAST NEWS — BlastNews 0.1.1 documentation
blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 6, 2025 at 5:03 AM
It's actually amazing how long I've been waiting for this. No more guessing which column has the querycovperc!
Plus, gzipped fastas for makeblastdb! Finally!
Plus, gzipped fastas for makeblastdb! Finally!
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
🌎👩🔬 For 15+ years biology has accumulated petabytes (million gigabytes) of🧬DNA sequencing data🧬 from the far reaches of our planet.🦠🍄🌵
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
September 3, 2025 at 8:39 AM
🌎👩🔬 For 15+ years biology has accumulated petabytes (million gigabytes) of🧬DNA sequencing data🧬 from the far reaches of our planet.🦠🍄🌵
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
This is great - we a huge need in the #eDNA community to have data-informed standards for eDNA identity cutoffs, not just the bog-standard 97%
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
For Chordata there is no cutoff that leads to 0% error when assigning species!! (Table S4)
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
For Chordata there is no cutoff that leads to 0% error when assigning species!! (Table S4)
Taxon‐specific BLAST percent identity thresholds for identification of unknown sequences using metabarcoding
The identification of organisms in environmental samples using metabarcoding relies on factors such as taxonomic assignment methods, genetic markers, reference databases and confidence thresholds ...
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:50 AM
This is great - we a huge need in the #eDNA community to have data-informed standards for eDNA identity cutoffs, not just the bog-standard 97%
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
For Chordata there is no cutoff that leads to 0% error when assigning species!! (Table S4)
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
For Chordata there is no cutoff that leads to 0% error when assigning species!! (Table S4)
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Researchers have filmed thousands of climbing catfish scaling waterfalls, providing a rare insight into the daring migration of an enigmatic fish.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4lDlFux
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4lDlFux
August 22, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Researchers have filmed thousands of climbing catfish scaling waterfalls, providing a rare insight into the daring migration of an enigmatic fish.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4lDlFux
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4lDlFux
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
![4-panel comic. (1) [Person 1 with ponytail flanked by person with short hair and another person speaking into microphone at podium] PERSON 1: In the early 2010s, researchers found that many major scientific results couldn’t be reproduced. (2) PERSON 1: Over a decade into the replication crisis, we wanted to see if today’s studies have become more robust. (3) PERSON 1: Unfortunately, our replication analysis has found exactly the same problems that those 2010s researchers did. (4) [newspaper with image of speakers from previous panels] Headline: Replication Crisis Solved](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreibwuu57ullc7vacjyno6c5z3gtyakkg2qub6cn3dbbjdpn2kaowmi@jpeg)
July 21, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
📖Published📖
Sources of uncertainty in DNA metabarcoding of whole communities: Implications for its use in biomonitoring 🧬 🌍 🧪 Find the article here 👇
buff.ly/6zJRh9R
Sources of uncertainty in DNA metabarcoding of whole communities: Implications for its use in biomonitoring 🧬 🌍 🧪 Find the article here 👇
buff.ly/6zJRh9R
July 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
📖Published📖
Sources of uncertainty in DNA metabarcoding of whole communities: Implications for its use in biomonitoring 🧬 🌍 🧪 Find the article here 👇
buff.ly/6zJRh9R
Sources of uncertainty in DNA metabarcoding of whole communities: Implications for its use in biomonitoring 🧬 🌍 🧪 Find the article here 👇
buff.ly/6zJRh9R
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
We want to thank reviewer #2 for the very constructive comments. We were able to incorporate all of them. The manuscript is now much more clear.
July 4, 2025 at 9:46 PM
We want to thank reviewer #2 for the very constructive comments. We were able to incorporate all of them. The manuscript is now much more clear.
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
A monumental taxonomy unification effort has just been published - thanks to all those who've collaborated for years to make this happen!
birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/avi...
birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/avi...
Birds of the World - AviList: A Unified Global Checklist of the World’s Birds is Now Available
AviList, a unified global checklist of birds, that provides the most current and authoritative taxonomy of birds around the world was released today by experts in taxonomy, nomenclature, and bioinform...
birdsoftheworld.org
June 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A monumental taxonomy unification effort has just been published - thanks to all those who've collaborated for years to make this happen!
birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/avi...
birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/avi...
🧵 #HiloTesis | ¿Cómo se mide el estado de un río? ¿Puede el ADN decirnos si un río está sano?
¡Te cuento cómo he aplicado tecnologías basadas en ADN para evaluar la salud ecológica de los ríos en la Península Ibérica!
¡Te cuento cómo he aplicado tecnologías basadas en ADN para evaluar la salud ecológica de los ríos en la Península Ibérica!
June 6, 2025 at 6:03 AM
🧵 #HiloTesis | ¿Cómo se mide el estado de un río? ¿Puede el ADN decirnos si un río está sano?
¡Te cuento cómo he aplicado tecnologías basadas en ADN para evaluar la salud ecológica de los ríos en la Península Ibérica!
¡Te cuento cómo he aplicado tecnologías basadas en ADN para evaluar la salud ecológica de los ríos en la Península Ibérica!
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Any excuse to post this blast from the past from the last AEET conference that I went to in Almería. Still probably the best poster I've seen in the last few years courtesy of @ibartomeus.bsky.social. #SIBECOLAEET2025
June 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Any excuse to post this blast from the past from the last AEET conference that I went to in Almería. Still probably the best poster I've seen in the last few years courtesy of @ibartomeus.bsky.social. #SIBECOLAEET2025
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
The taxonomic biases in biodiversity data are growing over time. The amount of data we are collecting is growing, but the biases get bigger. We need to make a conscious effort to study the understudied!
#SciComms #Science #Taxonomy
🧪 image from Troudet et al 2018
@natureportfolio.bsky.social
#SciComms #Science #Taxonomy
🧪 image from Troudet et al 2018
@natureportfolio.bsky.social
November 19, 2024 at 9:54 AM
The taxonomic biases in biodiversity data are growing over time. The amount of data we are collecting is growing, but the biases get bigger. We need to make a conscious effort to study the understudied!
#SciComms #Science #Taxonomy
🧪 image from Troudet et al 2018
@natureportfolio.bsky.social
#SciComms #Science #Taxonomy
🧪 image from Troudet et al 2018
@natureportfolio.bsky.social
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
I will forever be haunted by this footage.
Trawling has only been filmed underwater a few times in documentary history, and never with such clarity.
What’s so heart-rending about these shots is watching how the animals don’t just get swept up — they swim for their lives.
🌎🦑🧪
Trawling has only been filmed underwater a few times in documentary history, and never with such clarity.
What’s so heart-rending about these shots is watching how the animals don’t just get swept up — they swim for their lives.
🌎🦑🧪
May 9, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I will forever be haunted by this footage.
Trawling has only been filmed underwater a few times in documentary history, and never with such clarity.
What’s so heart-rending about these shots is watching how the animals don’t just get swept up — they swim for their lives.
🌎🦑🧪
Trawling has only been filmed underwater a few times in documentary history, and never with such clarity.
What’s so heart-rending about these shots is watching how the animals don’t just get swept up — they swim for their lives.
🌎🦑🧪
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Ok people. I’m drawing silhouettes this afternoon. If you have a paper coming up and you are in need of a #silhouette please let me know and I will have it ready today. As always I upload all my silhouettes to phylopic.org
I also have tutorials on how to put a silhouette in a plot in R.
I also have tutorials on how to put a silhouette in a plot in R.
PhyloPic
PhyloPic is an open database of free silhouette images of animals, plants, and other life forms, available for reuse under Creative Commons licenses. Download silhouettes for use in educational materi...
phylopic.org
December 26, 2024 at 6:47 PM
Ok people. I’m drawing silhouettes this afternoon. If you have a paper coming up and you are in need of a #silhouette please let me know and I will have it ready today. As always I upload all my silhouettes to phylopic.org
I also have tutorials on how to put a silhouette in a plot in R.
I also have tutorials on how to put a silhouette in a plot in R.
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Can insect bulk samples be used in #metabarcoding without homogenising them? Our research shows: it’s technically possible but yields poorer data and is more expensive and time-consuming.
Paper out now:
@mbmg.pensoft.net
mbmg.pensoft.net/article/1298...
@leeselab.bsky.social
#nondestructivelysis
Paper out now:
@mbmg.pensoft.net
mbmg.pensoft.net/article/1298...
@leeselab.bsky.social
#nondestructivelysis
Homogenization of insect bulk samples yields more comprehensive yet comparable biodiversity data than non-destructive lysis
The rapid advancement of molecular biodiversity monitoring tools, particularly DNA metabarcoding, has improved specimen identification in bulk samples, such as those from Malaise traps, where traditio...
mbmg.pensoft.net
December 20, 2024 at 7:35 AM
Can insect bulk samples be used in #metabarcoding without homogenising them? Our research shows: it’s technically possible but yields poorer data and is more expensive and time-consuming.
Paper out now:
@mbmg.pensoft.net
mbmg.pensoft.net/article/1298...
@leeselab.bsky.social
#nondestructivelysis
Paper out now:
@mbmg.pensoft.net
mbmg.pensoft.net/article/1298...
@leeselab.bsky.social
#nondestructivelysis
Reposted by Alvaro Fueyo
Let‘s try a #metabarcoding starter pack to nucleate people interested. Welcome molecular #biodiversity monitoring people. Let’s try to keep us posted on updates regarding papers, projects, methods. Happy weekend.☀️#eDNA
go.bsky.app/Qvqgknp
go.bsky.app/Qvqgknp
November 22, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Let‘s try a #metabarcoding starter pack to nucleate people interested. Welcome molecular #biodiversity monitoring people. Let’s try to keep us posted on updates regarding papers, projects, methods. Happy weekend.☀️#eDNA
go.bsky.app/Qvqgknp
go.bsky.app/Qvqgknp