Leveraging eDNA to detect and monitor hybrid zones

Hybrid zones are important windows into evolutionary processes and our understanding of their significance and prevalence in nature has expanded quickly. Yet most hybridization research has restricted temporal and spatial resolution, limiting our ability to draw broad conclusions about evolutionary and conservation related outcomes. Here, we argue rapidly advancing environmental DNA (eDNA) methodology should be adopted for studies of hybrid zones to increase temporal sampling (contemporary and historical), to refine and geographically expand sampling density, and to collect data for taxa that are difficult to directly sample. Genomic data in the environment offer the potential for near real-time biological tracking and eDNA provides broad, as yet untapped potential to address eco-evolutionary questions.