Does Allometric Scaling Improve Estimates of Population Abundance Based on Environmental DNA ?

Despite the popularity of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for non-invasive, cost-effective monitoring of aquatic biodiversity, its application for population abundance estimation is in its infancy. One of the uncertainties in eDNA-based abundance estimation surrounds the process of eDNA production: large individuals may produce less eDNA per unit body mass than smaller conspecifics, and there may be an allometric (power-law) relationship between the amount of eDNA released and body mass. Altho