Call for papers - eDNA metabarcoding and metagenomics in zoology

Guest Editors

Mark Steer, PhD, University of the West of England, UK
Cecilia Villacorta-Rath, PhD, James Cook University, Australia

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 5 January 2026

BMC Zoology is calling for submissions to our Collection on eDNA metabarcoding and metagenomics in zoology. This Collection welcomes research using eDNA and eRNA methodologies to enhance our understanding of biodiversity, ecological interactions, and conservation challenges.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Mark Steer, PhD, University of the West of England, UK

Dr Steer is a practical conservation biologist who works closely with other practitioners to answer questions of direct importance to conservation organizations, industrial stakeholders, and volunteer organizations. His interests lie in the conservation and restoration of ecological processes in the UK and, nascently, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. His current research interests include the use of eDNA techniques in the targeted survey of particular species and groups. These include a happily diverse bag of species from European eels and noble pen shells to brown bears and lemurs.

Cecilia Villacorta-Rath, PhD, James Cook University, Australia

Dr Villacorta-Rath is the leader of the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) eDNA Laboratory at James Cook University. Specializing in biosecurity and threatened species detection, Dr Villacorta-Rath leads innovative work that ranges from detection of invasive ant species to monitoring the movement of sea turtles using eDNA methods. Her lab focuses on adapting field methods to enable citizen scientists, Indigenous rangers, and Traditional Owners to conduct eDNA sampling in remote areas of northern Australia. Her mission is to equip stakeholders with a diverse toolkit for the detection and management of invasive and endangered species, ensuring a proactive approach to preserving biodiversity.

About the Collection

BMC Zoology is calling for submissions to our Collection on eDNA metabarcoding and metagenomics in zoology.

Fueled by recent technological advances, environmental DNA and RNA are transforming the way biodiversity is assessed and monitored. BMC Zoology welcomes research using eDNA and eRNA methodologies to enhance our understanding of biodiversity, ecological interactions, and conservation challenges.

Topics that are welcome include, but are not limited to, the following:

Biodiversity analysis, monitoring, and conservation planning
- Reconstruction of past and present biodiversity patterns using eDNA/eRNA
- Detection of rare, endangered, and cryptic species
- Comparative studies integrating eDNA with traditional biodiversity assessment techniques
- Utilization of eDNA/eRNA in conservation planning
- Investigating genetic connectivity through eDNA analysis
- Including citizen-science in eDNA surveys or monitoring programs
Ecosystem health and dynamics
- Application of eDNA/eRNA in pollution response and environmental impact assessments
- Tracking invasive species and understanding their ecological consequences
- Use of eDNA/eRNA to monitor interspecies pathogen transmission and emerging diseases
Trophic interactions and symbioses
- Analysis of diet composition and trophic interactions in natural ecosystems
- Investigation of host-parasite, predator-prey, and plant-pollinator relationships
Advancing eDNA/eRNA methodologies
- Innovations in sample collection, extraction, and sequencing techniques
- Addressing challenges such as DNA degradation and preservation, false negatives and detection limits, reference database gaps, PCR and amplification biases, extraction and recovery efficiency, and bioinformatics and analytical challenges
- Development of field, lab, and bioinformatics methods to improve reproducibility and reliability of results
- Incorporating hydrodynamic models to improve prediction and interpretation of eDNA results

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "eDNA metabarcoding and metagenomics in zoology" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.