{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T14:04:14Z","timestamp":1784297054377,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":27,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,30]],"date-time":"2026-05-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780099200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100011246","name":"Environment Agency","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100011246","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing from water samples has emerged as a promising and cost-effective approach to collect comprehensive freshwater biodiversity data. However, critics might highlight potential shortcomings, such as the possibility of false positives (detection of absent species) and false negatives (failing to detect a species that is present). Misconceptions and misunderstandings may also stem from the complexity of the scientific approach and technical language, with implications for decision-makers and potentially hindering conservation. In the present article, we propose an analogy of eating a pizza to simplify messaging and increase understanding of detection probability within typical eDNA metabarcoding workflows. The pizza represents a site, slices represent water samples, bites represent PCR replicates, toppings represent species and olives represent a low-abundance species. Overall, the pizza analogy provides a novel, lighthearted and memorable way to communicate complex eDNA workflows to a broad spectrum of biological scientists and practitioners.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1093\/biosci\/biag051","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,3]],"date-time":"2026-04-03T11:50:44Z","timestamp":1775217044000},"page":"623-626","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Making eDNA more digestible: A pizza analogy for understanding false negatives and occupancy modeling"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"76","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7326-5075","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jonathan D","family":"Bolland","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Hull International Fisheries Institute, University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8944-7412","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nathan P","family":"Griffiths","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Hull International Fisheries Institute, University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX ,","place":["UK"]},{"name":"EvoHull Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Genomics Group, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX ,","place":["UK"]},{"name":"Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, University of the Highlands and Islands , Inverness IV2 5NA ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9679-0435","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Graham S","family":"Sellers","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EvoHull Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Genomics Group, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7630-9360","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bernd","family":"H\u00e4nfling","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EvoHull Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Genomics Group, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX ,","place":["UK"]},{"name":"Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, University of the Highlands and Islands , Inverness IV2 5NA ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8153-5511","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lori","family":"Lawson\u00a0Handley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EvoHull Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Genomics Group, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX ,","place":["UK"]},{"name":"Lake Ecosystems Group, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg , Lancaster LA1 4AP ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8189-934X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rosalind M","family":"Wright","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Environment Agency, Rivers House, Threshelfords Business Park , Feering CO5 9SE ,","place":["UK"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e85652","DOI":"10.3897\/mbmg.6.85652","article-title":"A strategy for successful integration of DNA-based methods in aquatic monitoring","volume":"6","author":"Blancher","year":"2022.","journal-title":"Metabarcoding and Metagenomics"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1231","DOI":"10.1111\/1755-0998.13512.","article-title":"Strategies for sample labelling and library preparation in DNA metabarcoding studies","volume":"22","author":"Bohmann","year":"2022.","journal-title":"Molecular Ecology Resources"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11637","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-91166-7","article-title":"Optimising sampling and analysis protocols in environmental DNA studies","volume":"11","author":"Buxton","year":"2021.","journal-title":"Scientific Reports"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3585","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-020-17337-8.","article-title":"Environmental DNA allows upscaling spatial patterns of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems","volume":"11","author":"Carraro","year":"2020.","journal-title":"Nature Communications"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-ecolsys-110617-062306.","article-title":"Uses and misuses of environmental DNA in biodiversity science and conservation","volume":"49","author":"Cristescu","year":"2018.","journal-title":"Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"879","DOI":"10.1002\/edn3.194","article-title":"What do you mean by false positive?","volume":"3","author":"Darling","year":"2020.","journal-title":"Environmental DNA"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"978","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envres.2011.02.001","article-title":"From molecules to management: Adopting DNA-based methods for monitoring biological invasions in aquatic environments","volume":"111","author":"Darling","year":"2011.","journal-title":"Environmental Research"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"440","DOI":"10.1080\/14634988.2019.1682912","article-title":"How to learn to stop worrying and love environmental DNA monitoring","volume":"22","author":"Darling","year":"2020.","journal-title":"Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3581","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-019-40233-1.","article-title":"Evaluation of detection probabilities at the water-filtering and initial PCR steps in environmental DNA metabarcoding using a multispecies site occupancy model","volume":"9:","author":"Doi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Scientific Reports"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"543","DOI":"10.1111\/1755-0998.12338","article-title":"Replication levels, false presences, and the estimation of the presence\/absence from eDNA metabarcoding data","volume":"15","author":"Ficetola","year":"2015","journal-title":"Molecular Ecology Resources"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"604","DOI":"10.1111\/1755-0998.12508","article-title":"How to limit false positives in environmental DNA and metabarcoding?","volume":"16","author":"Ficetola","year":"2016","journal-title":"Molecular Ecology Resources"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"183","DOI":"10.1111\/2041-210X.13732","article-title":"Multispecies site occupancy modelling and study design for spatially replicated environmental DNA metabarcoding","volume":"13:","author":"Fukaya","year":"2022","journal-title":"Methods in Ecology and Evolution"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1375","DOI":"10.1111\/jfb.14680","article-title":"Environmental DNA metabarcoding provides enhanced detection of the European eel Anguilla anguilla and fish community structure in pumped river catchments","volume":"97","author":"Griffiths","year":"2020","journal-title":"Journal of Fish Biology"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2409","DOI":"10.1111\/1365-2664.70099","article-title":"Proving a negative: Estimating species \u201cconfidence in absence for decision-making\u201d using environmental DNA monitoring","volume":"62:","author":"Griffiths","year":"2025","journal-title":"Journal of Applied Ecology"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3101","DOI":"10.1111\/mec.13660","article-title":"Environmental DNA metabarcoding of lake fish communities reflects long-term data from established survey methods","volume":"25","author":"H\u00e4nfling","year":"2016","journal-title":"Molecular Ecology"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.1111\/fwb.13197","article-title":"Development and application of environmental DNA surveillance for the threatened crucian carp (Carassius carassius)","volume":"64","author":"Harper","year":"2019","journal-title":"Freshwater Biology"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.1016\/j.watres.2018.03.003","article-title":"Implementation options for DNA-based identification into ecological status assessment under the European Water Framework Directive","volume":"138","author":"Hering","year":"2018","journal-title":"Water Research"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e528","DOI":"10.1002\/edn3.528","article-title":"Lessons learned from eDNA adoption in the management of bigheaded carps in Chicago IL USA Area Waterways","volume":"6","author":"Lodge","year":"2024.","journal-title":"Environmental DNA"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0224119","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0224119.","article-title":"Validating metabarcoding-based biodiversity assessments with multi-species occupancy models: A case study using coastal marine eDNA","volume":"15:","author":"McClenaghan","year":"2020","journal-title":"PLOS ONE"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"747","DOI":"10.3391\/mbi.2021.12.3.15","article-title":"Strategic considerations for invasive species managers in the utilization of environmental DNA (eDNA): Steps for incorporating this powerful surveillance tool","volume":"12","author":"Morisette","year":"2021.","journal-title":"Management of Biological Invasions"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1321","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2664.2008.01509.x","article-title":"Multi-scale occupancy estimation and modelling using multiple detection methods","volume":"45:","author":"Nichols","year":"2008.","journal-title":"Journal of Applied Ecology"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10361","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-018-28424-8","article-title":"Environmental DNA reveals quantitative patterns of fish biodiversity in large rivers despite its downstream transportation","volume":"8","author":"Pont","year":"2018.","journal-title":"Scientific Reports"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"646","DOI":"10.1111\/2041-210X.12052","article-title":"Site occupancy models in the analysis of environmental DNA presence\/absence surveys: A case study of an emerging amphibian pathogen","volume":"4:","author":"Schmidt","year":"2013.","journal-title":"Methods in Ecology and Evolution"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14630","DOI":"10.1002\/ece3.8150","article-title":"How many replicates to accurately estimate fish biodiversity using environmental DNA on coral reefs?","volume":"11","author":"Stauffer","year":"2021.","journal-title":"Ecology and Evolution"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1002\/edn3.472","article-title":"Critical considerations for communicating environmental DNA science","volume":"6","author":"Stein","year":"2024.","journal-title":"Environmental DNA"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"587","DOI":"10.1002\/edn3.91","article-title":"A comparison of European eel Anguilla anguilla eDNA concentrations to fyke net catches in five Irish lakes","volume":"2","author":"Weldon","year":"2020.","journal-title":"Environmental DNA"},{"key":"2026071709044982800_bib27","article-title":"A Tool for Classifying the Ecological Status of Lake Fish in Britain Based on eDNA Metabarcoding","author":"Willby","year":"2019."}],"container-title":["BioScience"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bioscience\/article-pdf\/76\/7\/623\/68435169\/biag051.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bioscience\/article-pdf\/76\/7\/623\/68435169\/biag051.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]],"date-time":"2026-07-17T13:25:34Z","timestamp":1784294734000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bioscience\/article\/76\/7\/623\/8698429"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,30]]},"references-count":27,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,30]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,17]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/biosci\/biag051","relation":{},"ISSN":["0006-3568","1525-3244"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0006-3568","type":"print"},{"value":"1525-3244","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published-other":{"date-parts":[[2026,7]]},"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,30]]}}}