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Osathanunkul M, Suwannapoom C. Sustainable fisheries management through reliable restocking and stock enhancement evaluation with environmental DNA. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11297. [PMID: 37438384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The practise of restocking and stock improvement as a means of managing fisheries and aquaculture has been widely used. However, it is difficult to claim that fish stocking is effective due to a number of challenges. One of those is the lack of suitable monitoring and assessment methods, although all assessment approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. If the full benefits of fisheries and their long-term sustainability are to be realised, it is necessary to examine the effectiveness of restocking and stock enhancement. Therefore, effective, rapid, and dependable monitoring techniques are necessary. In this study, we used an eDNA-based method to identify G. cambodgiensis at 14 sites throughout Thailand's restocking and stock enhancement programme. eDNA from this species was identified in water samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests with primers and a probe specific to G. cambodgiensis. A successful stocking would show positive eDNA results in water samples collected from the studied sites. Only five of the studied sites returned positive eDNA readings, which could be considered a successful stocking. The locations that contained G. cambodgiensis eDNA were either confirmed to be natural habitats or were regularly stocked with a large number of hatchery fish. In this study, we demonstrated that eDNA is a reliable, fast and accurate alternative method for measuring stock improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maslin Osathanunkul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Chatmongkon Suwannapoom
- School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Muang District, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
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2
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Adcock ZC, Adcock ME, Forstner MRJ. Development and validation of an environmental DNA assay to detect federally threatened groundwater salamanders in central Texas. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288282. [PMID: 37428788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular detection of DNA fragments that are shed into the environment (eDNA) has become an increasingly applied tool used to inventory biological communities and to perform targeted species surveys. This method is particularly useful in habitats where it is difficult or not practical to visually detect or trap the target organisms. Central Texas Eurycea salamanders inhabit both surface and subterranean aquatic environments. Subterranean surveys are challenging or infeasible, and the detection of salamander eDNA in water samples is an appealing survey technique for these situations. Here, we develop and validate an eDNA assay using quantitative PCR for E. chisholmensis, E. naufragia, and E. tonkawae. These three species are federally threatened and constitute the Septentriomolge clade that occurs in the northern segment of the Edwards Aquifer. First, we validated the specificity of the assay in silico and with DNA extracted from tissue samples of both target Septentriomolge and non-target amphibians that overlap in distribution. Then, we evaluated the sensitivity of the assay in two controls, one with salamander-positive water and one at field sites known to be occupied by Septentriomolge. For the salamander-positive control, the estimated probability of eDNA occurrence (ψ) was 0.981 (SE = 0.019), and the estimated probability of detecting eDNA in a qPCR replicate (p) was 0.981 (SE = 0.011). For the field control, the estimated probability of eDNA occurring at a site (ψ) was 0.938 (95% CRI: 0.714-0.998). The estimated probability of collecting eDNA in a water sample (θ) was positively correlated with salamander relative density and ranged from 0.371 (95% CRI: 0.201-0.561) to 0.999 (95% CRI: 0.850- > 0.999) among sampled sites. Therefore, sites with low salamander density require more water samples for eDNA evaluation, and we determined that our site with the lowest estimated θ would require seven water samples for the cumulative collection probability to exceed 0.95. The estimated probability of detecting eDNA in a qPCR replicate (p) was 0.882 (95% CRI: 0.807-0.936), and our assay required two qPCR replicates for the cumulative detection probability to exceed 0.95. In complementary visual encounter surveys, the estimated probability of salamanders occurring at a known-occupied site was 0.905 (SE = 0.096), and the estimated probability of detecting salamanders in a visual encounter survey was 0.925 (SE = 0.052). We additionally discuss future research needed to refine this method and understand its limitations before practical application and incorporation into formal survey protocols for these taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary C Adcock
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
- Cambrian Environmental, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle E Adcock
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael R J Forstner
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, United States of America
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3
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Bass D, Christison KW, Stentiford GD, Cook LSJ, Hartikainen H. Environmental DNA/RNA for pathogen and parasite detection, surveillance, and ecology. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:285-304. [PMID: 36759269 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Detection of pathogens, parasites, and other symbionts in environmental samples via eDNA/eRNA (collectively eNA) is an increasingly important source of information about their occurrence and activity. There is great potential for using such detections as a proxy for infection of host organisms in connected habitats, for pathogen monitoring and surveillance, and for early warning systems for disease. However, many factors require consideration, and appropriate methods developed and verified, in order that eNA detections can be reliably interpreted and adopted for surveillance and assessment of disease risk, and potentially inclusion in international standards, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health guidelines. Disease manifestation results from host-symbiont-environment interactions between hosts, demanding a multifactorial approach to interpretation of eNA signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bass
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK; Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK.
| | - Kevin W Christison
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Private Bag X2, Vlaeberg, 8012, South Africa
| | - Grant D Stentiford
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK; Sustainable Aquaculture Futures, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Lauren S J Cook
- International Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Animal Health, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK; Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Hanna Hartikainen
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, University Park, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK
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4
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Croose E, Hanniffy R, Harrington A, Põdra M, Gómez A, Bolton PL, Lavin JV, Browett SS, Pinedo J, Lacanal D, Galdos I, Ugarte J, Torre A, Wright P, MacPherson J, McDevitt AD, Carter SP, Harrington LA. Mink on the brink: comparing survey methods for detecting a critically endangered carnivore, the European mink Mustela lutreola. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
AbstractMonitoring rare and elusive species is critical in guiding appropriate conservation management measures. Mammalian carnivores are challenging to monitor directly, due to their generally nocturnal and solitary lifestyle, and relatively large home ranges. The European mink Mustela lutreola is a critically endangered, small, semi-aquatic carnivore and is one of the most threatened mammal species in Europe. In northern Spain, the European mink population is monitored regionally using different methods and approaches, making assessment of national population status difficult. There is an urgent need to 1) assess the efficacy of survey methods and 2) identify a standard monitoring methodology that can be deployed rapidly and inexpensively over large areas of the mink’s range. We deployed four methods—camera trapping, hair tubes, live trapping, and environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples—to compare the probability of detecting European mink when present at 25 sampling sites within five 10 × 10 km2, and the economic cost and time required for each method. All four methods successfully detected European mink but the probability of detection varied by method. Camera trapping and hair tubes had the highest probability of detection; however, eDNA and live trapping detected mink in one 10 × 10 km2 where the latter two methods did not. For future European mink monitoring programs, we recommend a combination of at least two methods and suggest that camera traps or hair tubes are combined with live trapping or eDNA (depending on the scale and aims of the study), to gather critical information on distribution, occupancy and conservation status.
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Guzy JC, Falk BG, Smith BJ, Willson JD, Reed RN, Aumen NG, Avery ML, Bartoszek IA, Campbell E, Cherkiss MS, Claunch NM, Currylow AF, Dean T, Dixon J, Engeman R, Funck S, Gibble R, Hengstebeck KC, Humphrey JS, Hunter ME, Josimovich JM, Ketterlin J, Kirkland M, Mazzotti FJ, McCleery R, Miller MA, McCollister M, Parker MR, Pittman SE, Rochford M, Romagosa C, Roybal A, Snow RW, Spencer MM, Waddle JH, Yackel Adams AA, Hart KM. Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools. NEOBIOTA 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.80.90439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The difficulty stems from a unique combination of inaccessible habitat and the cryptic and resilient nature of pythons that thrive in the subtropical environment of southern Florida, rendering them extremely challenging to detect. Here we provide a comprehensive review and synthesis of the science relevant to managing invasive Burmese pythons. We describe existing control tools and review challenges to productive research, identifying key knowledge gaps that would improve future research and decision making for python control.
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Detecting Leishmania in dogs: A hierarchical-modeling approach to investigate the performance of parasitological and qPCR-based diagnostic procedures. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0011011. [PMID: 36525465 PMCID: PMC9803295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Domestic dogs are primary reservoir hosts of Leishmania infantum, the agent of visceral leishmaniasis. Detecting dog infections is central to epidemiological inference, disease prevention, and veterinary practice. Error-free diagnostic procedures, however, are lacking, and the performance of those available is difficult to measure in the absence of fail-safe "reference standards". Here, we illustrate how a hierarchical-modeling approach can be used to formally account for false-negative and false-positive results when investigating the process of Leishmania detection in dogs. METHODS/FINDINGS We studied 294 field-sampled dogs of unknown infection status from a Leishmania-endemic region. We ran 350 parasitological tests (bone-marrow microscopy and culture) and 1,016 qPCR assays (blood, bone-marrow, and eye-swab samples with amplifiable DNA). Using replicate test results and site-occupancy models, we estimated (a) clinical sensitivity for each diagnostic procedure and (b) clinical specificity for qPCRs; parasitological tests were assumed 100% specific. Initial modeling revealed qPCR specificity < 94%; we tracked the source of this unexpected result to some qPCR plates having subtle signs of possible contamination. Using multi-model inference, we formally accounted for suspected plate contamination and estimated qPCR sensitivity at 49-53% across sample types and dog clinical conditions; qPCR specificity was high (95-96%), but fell to 81-82% for assays run in plates with suspected contamination. The sensitivity of parasitological procedures was low (~12-13%), but increased to ~33% (with substantial uncertainty) for bone-marrow culture in seriously-diseased dogs. Leishmania-infection frequency estimates (~49-50% across clinical conditions) were lower than observed (~60%). CONCLUSIONS We provide statistical estimates of key performance parameters for five diagnostic procedures used to detect Leishmania in dogs. Low clinical sensitivies likely reflect the absence of Leishmania parasites/DNA in perhaps ~50-70% of samples drawn from infected dogs. Although qPCR performance was similar across sample types, non-invasive eye-swabs were overall less likely to contain amplifiable DNA. Finally, modeling was instrumental to discovering (and formally accounting for) possible qPCR-plate contamination; even with stringent negative/blank-control scoring, ~4-5% of positive qPCRs were most likely false-positives. This work shows, in sum, how hierarchical site-occupancy models can sharpen our understanding of the problem of diagnosing host infections with hard-to-detect pathogens including Leishmania.
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7
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Kamoroff C, Goldberg CS, Grasso RL. Rapid detection of amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis using in situ DNA extraction and a handheld mobile thermocycler. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2022; 152:99-108. [PMID: 36519681 DOI: 10.3354/dao03708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The amphibian chytrid fungus (Bd) has caused declines and some extinctions of amphibian populations worldwide. Early and accurate Bd detection is essential for management of susceptible anurans. We analyzed the effectiveness of in situ DNA extraction with a handheld mobile quantitative PCR (qPCR) thermocycler to detect Bd on frog skin swabs and in water samples using environmental DNA (eDNA). We collected duplicate eDNA samples and skin swabs from 3 Bd-positive Rana sierrae populations. We processed one set of samples using a field protocol (a handheld thermocycler) and the other half using a standard lab protocol. We detected Bd DNA in all R. sierrae swabbed using both the field and lab protocols. We also detected Bd DNA in eDNA samples at all sites, although the field and lab protocols failed to detect Bd eDNA at separate singular sites; results from the field and lab eDNA protocol did not match. The probability of detecting Bd DNA in the technical replicates was lower for the field protocol than the lab protocol, suggesting the field protocol has lower sensitivity and may not detect low quantities of DNA. Our results suggest that the field extraction protocol using a handheld qPCR platform is a promising tool for rapid detection of Bd in susceptible amphibian populations, yielding accurate results in less than 60 min. However, the applied field protocol may be prone to false negatives when analyzing low-quantity DNA samples such as eDNA water samples or frog swabs with low pathogen loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Kamoroff
- Resources Management and Science, Yosemite National Park, CA 95318, USA
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8
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Uthicke S, Robson B, Doyle JR, Logan M, Pratchett MS, Lamare M. Developing an effective marine eDNA monitoring: eDNA detection at pre-outbreak densities of corallivorous seastar (Acanthaster cf. solaris). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158143. [PMID: 35995149 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Outbreaks of the corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (CoTS) Acanthaster cf. solaris contribute significantly to coral reef loss. Control of outbreaks is hampered because standard monitoring techniques do not detect outbreaks at early (low density) stages, thus preventing early intervention. We previously demonstrated that eDNA monitoring can detect CoTS at intermediate densities. Here, we test whether detection probability can be improved by (i) targeted site selection or collection at specific times and (ii) moving from an average eDNA copy number approach (based on the limit of quantification) to a presence/absence approach (based on the limit of detection). Using a dataset collected over three years and multiple reef sites, we demonstrated that adding water residence age, sea surface level and temperature into generalized linear models explained low amounts of variance of eDNA copy numbers. Site specific CoTS density, by contrast, was a significant predictor for eDNA copy numbers. Bayesian multi-scale occupancy modelling of the presence/absence data demonstrated that the probability of sample capture (θ) on most reefs with intermediate or high CoTS densities was >0.8. Thus, confirming CoTS presence on these reefs would only require 2-3 samples. Sample capture decreased with decreasing CoTS density. Collecting ten filters was sufficient to reliably (based on the lower 95 % Credibility Interval) detect CoTS below nominal outbreak levels (3 Ind. ha-1). Copy number-based estimates may be more relevant to quantify CoTS at higher densities. Although water residence age did contribute little to our models, sites with higher residence times may serve as sentinel sites accumulating eDNA. The approach based on presence or absence of eDNA facilitates eDNA monitoring to detect CoTS densities below outbreak thresholds and we continue to further develop this method for quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Uthicke
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD 4810, Australia.
| | - Barbara Robson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Jason R Doyle
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Murray Logan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No. 3, Townsville MC, QLD 4810, Australia
| | - Morgan S Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Miles Lamare
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Kyle KE, Allen MC, Dragon J, Bunnell JF, Reinert HK, Zappalorti R, Jaffe BD, Angle JC, Lockwood JL. Combining surface and soil environmental DNA with artificial cover objects to improve terrestrial reptile survey detection. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13939. [PMID: 35603473 PMCID: PMC10087970 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles are increasingly of conservation concern due to their susceptibility to habitat loss, emerging disease, and harvest in the wildlife trade. However, reptile populations are often difficult to monitor given the frequency of crypsis in their life history. This difficulty has left uncertain the conservation status of many species and the efficacy of conservation actions unknown. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys consistently elevate the detection rate of species they are designed to monitor, and while their use is promising for terrestrial reptile conservation, successes in developing such surveys have been sparse. We tested the degree to which inclusion of surface and soil eDNA sampling into conventional artificial-cover methods elevates the detection probability of a small, cryptic terrestrial lizard, Scincella lateralis. The eDNA sampling of cover object surfaces with paint rollers elevated per sample detection probabilities for this species 4-16 times compared with visual surveys alone. We readily detected S. lateralis eDNA under cover objects up to 2 weeks after the last visual detection, and at some cover objects where no S. lateralis were visually observed in prior months. With sufficient sampling intensity, eDNA testing of soil under cover objects produced comparable per sample detection probabilities as roller surface methods. Our results suggest that combining eDNA and cover object methods can considerably increase the detection power of reptile monitoring programs, allowing more accurate estimates of population size, detection of temporal and spatial changes in habitat use, and tracking success of restoration efforts. Further research into the deposition and decay rates of reptile eDNA under cover objects, as well as tailored protocols for different species and habitats, is needed to bring the technique into widespread use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Kyle
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Michael C Allen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jeffrey Dragon
- New Jersey Pinelands Commission, Pemberton, New Jersey, USA
| | - John F Bunnell
- New Jersey Pinelands Commission, Pemberton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Howard K Reinert
- Department of Biology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - Jordan C Angle
- ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions, Spring, Texas, USA
| | - Julie L Lockwood
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Kestel JH, Field DL, Bateman PW, White NE, Allentoft ME, Hopkins AJM, Gibberd M, Nevill P. Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in agricultural systems: Current uses, limitations and future prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157556. [PMID: 35882340 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global food production, food supply chains and food security are increasingly stressed by human population growth and loss of arable land, becoming more vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental perturbations. Numerous mutualistic and antagonistic species are interconnected with the cultivation of crops and livestock and these can be challenging to identify on the large scales of food production systems. Accurate identifications to capture this diversity and rapid scalable monitoring are necessary to identify emerging threats (i.e. pests and pathogens), inform on ecosystem health (i.e. soil and pollinator diversity), and provide evidence for new management practices (i.e. fertiliser and pesticide applications). Increasingly, environmental DNA (eDNA) is providing rapid and accurate classifications for specific organisms and entire species assemblages in substrates ranging from soil to air. Here, we aim to discuss how eDNA is being used for monitoring of agricultural ecosystems, what current limitations exist, and how these could be managed to expand applications into the future. In a systematic review we identify that eDNA-based monitoring in food production systems accounts for only 4 % of all eDNA studies. We found that the majority of these eDNA studies target soil and plant substrates (60 %), predominantly to identify microbes and insects (60 %) and are biased towards Europe (42 %). While eDNA-based monitoring studies are uncommon in many of the world's food production systems, the trend is most pronounced in emerging economies often where food security is most at risk. We suggest that the biggest limitations to eDNA for agriculture are false negatives resulting from DNA degradation and assay biases, as well as incomplete databases and the interpretation of abundance data. These require in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to carefully design, test and apply eDNA monitoring for reliable and accurate taxonomic identifications. We explore future opportunities for eDNA research which could further develop this useful tool for food production system monitoring in both emerging and developed economies, hopefully improving monitoring, and ultimately food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H Kestel
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia.
| | - David L Field
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna J M Hopkins
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
| | - Mark Gibberd
- Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Paul Nevill
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
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11
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Holmes V, Aman J, York G, Kinnison MT. Environmental DNA detects Spawning Habitat of an ephemeral migrant fish (Anadromous Rainbow Smelt: Osmerus mordax). BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:121. [PMID: 36280813 PMCID: PMC9594880 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) have experienced a large range reduction in recent decades and the status of remnant spawning populations is poorly known in Maine, where these fish have significant ecological, cultural, and commercial relevance. Defining the remnant range of anadromous smelt is more difficult than for many declining fish species because adults are only ephemerally present while spawning in small coastal streams at night during spring runoff periods when traditional assessments can be unreliable or even hazardous. We hypothesized that eDNA might facilitate improved survey efforts to define smelt spawning habitat, but that detection could also face challenges from adult eDNA quickly flushing out of these small stream systems. We combined daytime eDNA sampling with nighttime fyke netting to ascertain a potential window of eDNA detection before conducting eDNA surveys in four streams of varying abundance. Hierarchical occupancy modeling was in turn employed to estimate eDNA encounter probabilities relative to numbers of sampling events (date), samples within events, and qPCR replicates within samples. RESULTS Results from the combined eDNA and fyke net study indicated eDNA was detectable over an extended period, culminating approximately 8-13 days following peak spawning, suggesting developing smelt larvae might be the primary source of eDNA. Subsequently, smelt eDNA was readily detected in eDNA surveys of four streams, particularly following remediation of PCR inhibitors. Hierarchical occupancy modeling confirmed our surveys had high empirical detection for most sites, and that future surveys employing at least three sampling events, three samples per event, and six qPCR replicates can afford greater than 90% combined detection capability in low abundance systems. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that relatively modest eDNA sampling effort has high capacity to detect this ephemerally present species of concern at low to moderate abundances. As such, smelt eDNA detection could improve range mapping by providing longer survey windows, safer sampling conditions, and lower field effort in low density systems, than afforded by existing visual and netting approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaughn Holmes
- grid.21106.340000000121820794Center for Genetics in the Environment and School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, USA
| | - Jacob Aman
- grid.448608.60000 0000 9349 2745Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Wells, USA
| | - Geneva York
- grid.21106.340000000121820794University of Maine Environmental DNA CORE Laboratory, Orono, USA
| | - Michael T. Kinnison
- grid.21106.340000000121820794Center for Genetics in the Environment and School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, USA ,grid.21106.340000000121820794University of Maine Environmental DNA CORE Laboratory, Orono, USA
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12
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Villacorta-Rath C, Espinoza T, Cockayne B, Schaffer J, Burrows D. Environmental DNA analysis confirms extant populations of the cryptic Irwin’s turtle within its historical range. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:57. [PMID: 35501685 PMCID: PMC9059348 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02009-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Approximately 50% of freshwater turtles worldwide are currently threatened by habitat loss, rural development and altered stream flows. Paradoxically, reptiles are understudied organisms, with many species lacking basic geographic distribution and abundance data. The iconic Irwin’s turtle, Elseya irwini, belongs to a unique group of Australian endemic freshwater turtles capable of cloacal respiration. Water resource development, increased presence of saltwater crocodiles and its cryptic behaviour, have made sampling for Irwin’s turtle in parts of its range problematic, resulting in no confirmed detections across much of its known range for > 25 years. Here, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for E. irwini detection along its historical and contemporary distribution in the Burdekin, Bowen and Broken River catchments and tributaries. Five replicate water samples were collected at 37 sites across those three river catchments. Environmental DNA was extracted using a glycogen-aided precipitation method and screened for the presence of E. irwini through an eDNA assay targeting a 127 base pair-long fragment of the NADH dehydrogenase 4 (ND4) mitochondrial gene. Results Elseya irwini eDNA was detected at sites within its historic distribution in the lower Burdekin River, where the species had not been formally recorded for > 25 years, indicating the species still inhabits the lower Burdekin area. We also found higher levels of E. iriwni eDNA within its contemporary distribution in the Bowen and Broken Rivers, matching the prevailing scientific view that these areas host larger populations of E. irwini. Conclusions This study constitutes the first scientific evidence of E. irwini presence in the lower Burdekin since the original type specimens were collected as part of its formal description, shortly after the construction of the Burdekin Falls Dam. From the higher percentage of positive detections in the upper reaches of the Broken River (Urannah Creek), we conclude that this area constitutes the core habitat area for the species. Our field protocol comprises a user-friendly, time-effective sampling method. Finally, due to safety risks associated with traditional turtle sampling methods in the Burdekin River (e.g., estuarine crocodiles) we propose eDNA sampling as the most pragmatic detection method available for E. irwini. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-02009-6.
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13
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Ji Y, Baker CCM, Popescu VD, Wang J, Wu C, Wang Z, Li Y, Wang L, Hua C, Yang Z, Yang C, Xu CCY, Diana A, Wen Q, Pierce NE, Yu DW. Measuring protected-area effectiveness using vertebrate distributions from leech iDNA. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1555. [PMID: 35322033 PMCID: PMC8943135 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28778-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Protected areas are key to meeting biodiversity conservation goals, but direct measures of effectiveness have proven difficult to obtain. We address this challenge by using environmental DNA from leech-ingested bloodmeals to estimate spatially-resolved vertebrate occupancies across the 677 km2 Ailaoshan reserve in Yunnan, China. From 30,468 leeches collected by 163 park rangers across 172 patrol areas, we identify 86 vertebrate species, including amphibians, mammals, birds and squamates. Multi-species occupancy modelling shows that species richness increases with elevation and distance to reserve edge. Most large mammals (e.g. sambar, black bear, serow, tufted deer) follow this pattern; the exceptions are the three domestic mammal species (cows, sheep, goats) and muntjak deer, which are more common at lower elevations. Vertebrate occupancies are a direct measure of conservation outcomes that can help guide protected-area management and improve the contributions that protected areas make towards global biodiversity goals. Here, we show the feasibility of using invertebrate-derived DNA to estimate spatially-resolved vertebrate occupancies across entire protected areas. Invertebrate-derived eDNA (iDNA) is an emerging tool for taxonomic and spatial biodiversity monitoring. Here, the authors use metabarcoding of leech-derived iDNA to estimate vertebrate occupancy over an entire protected area, the Ailaoshan Nature Reserve, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinqiu Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Christopher C M Baker
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. .,US Army ERDC Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, 72 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
| | - Viorel D Popescu
- Department of Biological Sciences and Sustainability Studies Theme, Ohio University, 107 Irvine Hall, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.,Center for Environmental Studies (CCMESI), University of Bucharest, 1 N. Balcescu Blvd., Bucharest, Romania
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chunying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhengyang Wang
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yuanheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Lin Wang
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 666303, Mengla, China.,Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 666303, Mengla, China
| | - Chaolang Hua
- Yunnan Forestry Survey and Planning Institute, 289 Renmin E Rd, 650028, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhongxing Yang
- Yunnan Forestry Survey and Planning Institute, 289 Renmin E Rd, 650028, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Charles C Y Xu
- Redpath Museum and Department of Biology, McGill University, 859 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, PQ, H3A2K6, Canada
| | - Alex Diana
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Kent, Sibson Building, Canterbury, Kent, CT27FS, UK
| | - Qingzhong Wen
- Yunnan Forestry Survey and Planning Institute, 289 Renmin E Rd, 650028, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Naomi E Pierce
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Douglas W Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 650223, Kunming, Yunnan, China. .,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650201, Kunming, Yunnan, China. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR47TJ, UK.
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14
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Moss WE, Harper LR, Davis MA, Goldberg CS, Smith MM, Johnson PTJ. Navigating the trade‐offs between environmental
DNA
and conventional field surveys for improved amphibian monitoring. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wynne E. Moss
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
| | - Lynsey R. Harper
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
- NatureMetrics Ltd, CABI Site Egham UK
| | - Mark A. Davis
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
| | - Caren S. Goldberg
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
| | - Matthew M. Smith
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
| | - Pieter T. J. Johnson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
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15
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Utilizing environmental DNA for wide-range distributions of reproductive area of an invasive terrestrial toad in Ishikari river basin in Japan. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02709-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractUnderstanding the distribution of invasive species and their reproductive area is crucial for their managements after invasion. While catch and observation surveys are still embraced, environmental DNA (eDNA) has been increasingly utilized as an efficient tool for identifying these species in the wild. In this study, we developed a Bufo-specific eDNA assay for detecting an invasive, toxic, and terrestrial toad species Bufo japonicus formosus in Hokkaido, Japan, and applied it to their reproductive area at watershed scale. The eDNA assay was field-validated in ponds where B. japonicus were observed, as well as in rivers downstream of the reproductive ponds. Thus, the assay provided us an opportunity to screen watersheds that include their reproductive area by collecting downstream water samples. Applying it to the Ishikari river basin, the largest river basin in Hokkaido (c.a., 14,330 km2), we detected toad eDNA at 32 out of 73 sampling sites. They are composed of eleven sites with species observation records nearby (all the sites with observation records within a 500 m radius) and 21 sites without such records. And those eDNA detections were from twelve out of 31 river systems in the entire river basin. A Bayesian, multiscale occupancy model supported high eDNA detectability among those sites. These results suggest that the eDNA assay can efficiently estimate the presence of reproductive area of the terrestrial toad even from a distant downstream of the watershed, and that it provides a powerful means of detecting new reproductive area and monitoring further spread of invasive species.
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16
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Parasite DNA detection in water samples enhances crayfish plague monitoring in asymptomatic invasive populations. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02644-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInvasive species can facilitate the spread of pathogens by first providing asymptomatic host reservoirs, and then driving disease outbreaks in native populations through pathogen spillover. An example of this are invasive crayfish species in Europe (Faxonius limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii), which carry the deadly plague agent (Aphanomyces astaci). Effective disease management requires comprehensive monitoring, however, pathogen detection in carrier populations with low pathogen prevalence and intensities is challenging. We simultaneously collected and analysed crayfish tissue samples of invasive crayfish populations and water samples to compare A. astaci detection in different sample types using quantitative PCR. Combined, the two sampling methods revealed A. astaci presence with DNA concentrations above limit of detection (LOD; the lowest concentration which can be detected with reasonable certainty) in 13 of 23 invasive crayfish populations. In four additional sites, A. astaci DNA concentrations below LOD were found in water. In four populations only were A. astaci concentrations above LOD detected in both sample types and in three populations in concentrations above LOD in tissue but below LOD in water. The likely reason for these discrepancies is the low A. astaci prevalence and concentration in resistant invasive crayfish, which limit detection reliability. Consistency may be improved by timing surveys with seasonal periods of high A. astaci abundance and by increasing water sampling effort. Considering the ease of collecting eDNA samples, compared to crayfish tissue sampling, eDNA methods would facilitate frequent and comprehensive surveys. However, remaining uncertainties in eDNA-based detection reveal the relevance of combining monitoring tools to improve detection of invasive pathogens and their management.
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17
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Villacorta-Rath C, Hoskin CJ, Strugnell JM, Burrows D. Long distance (>20 km) downstream detection of endangered stream frogs suggests an important role for eDNA in surveying for remnant amphibian populations. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12013. [PMID: 34692243 PMCID: PMC8483009 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, amphibian species have suffered drastic population declines over the past 40 years. Hundreds of species are now listed as Critically Endangered, with many of these considered "possibly extinct". Most of these species are stream-dwelling frogs inhabiting remote, montane areas, where remnant populations are hard to find using traditional surveys. Environmental DNA (eDNA) could revolutionize surveys for 'missing' and endangered amphibian populations by screening water samples from downstream sections to assess presence in the upstream catchments. However, the utility of this survey technique is dependent on quantifying downstream detection probability and distances. Methods Here we tested downstream detection distances in two endangered stream frogs (Litoria lorica and L. nannotis) that co-occur in a remote stream catchment in north-east Australia, and for which we know precise downstream distributional limits from traditional surveys. Importantly, the two last populations of L. lorica persist in this catchment: one small (~1,000 frogs) and one very small (~100 frogs). We conducted eDNA screening at a series of sites kilometers downstream from the populations using precipitation from two fixed water volumes (15 and 100 mL) and via water filtering (mean 1,480 L). Results We detected L. nannotis and the small L. lorica population (~1,000 frogs) at most sampling sites, including 22.8 km downstream. The filtration method was highly effective for far-downstream detection, as was precipitation from 100 mL water samples, which also resulted in consistent detections at the far-downstream sites (including to 22.8 km). In contrast, we had limited downstream detection success for the very small L. lorica population (~100 frogs). Discussion The ecological aspects of our study system, coupled with thorough traditional surveys, enabled us to measure downstream eDNA detection distances with accuracy. We demonstrate that eDNA from a small population of approximately 1,000 frogs can be detected as far as 22.8 km downstream from the population. Water filtration is considered best for eDNA detection of rare aquatic species-indeed it was effective in this study-but we also achieved far-downstream detections when precipitating eDNA from 100 mL water samples. Collecting small water volumes for subsequent precipitation in the lab is more practical than filtration when surveying remote areas. Our downstream detection distances (>20 km) suggest eDNA is a valuable tool for detecting rare stream amphibians. We provide recommendations on optimal survey methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Villacorta-Rath
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jan M Strugnell
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Damien Burrows
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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18
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Optimising sampling and analysis protocols in environmental DNA studies. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11637. [PMID: 34079031 PMCID: PMC8172848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91166-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological surveys risk incurring false negative and false positive detections of the target species. With indirect survey methods, such as environmental DNA, such error can occur at two stages: sample collection and laboratory analysis. Here we analyse a large qPCR based eDNA data set using two occupancy models, one of which accounts for false positive error by Griffin et al. (J R Stat Soc Ser C Appl Stat 69: 377-392, 2020), and a second that assumes no false positive error by Stratton et al. (Methods Ecol Evol 11: 1113-1120, 2020). Additionally, we apply the Griffin et al. (2020) model to simulated data to determine optimal levels of replication at both sampling stages. The Stratton et al. (2020) model, which assumes no false positive results, consistently overestimated both overall and individual site occupancy compared to both the Griffin et al. (2020) model and to previous estimates of pond occupancy for the target species. The inclusion of replication at both stages of eDNA analysis (sample collection and in the laboratory) reduces both bias and credible interval width in estimates of both occupancy and detectability. Even the collection of > 1 sample from a site can improve parameter estimates more than having a high number of replicates only within the laboratory analysis.
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19
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Valdivia-Carrillo T, Rocha-Olivares A, Reyes-Bonilla H, Domínguez-Contreras JF, Munguia-Vega A. Integrating eDNA metabarcoding and simultaneous underwater visual surveys to describe complex fish communities in a marine biodiversity hotspot. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 21:1558-1574. [PMID: 33683812 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Marine biodiversity can be surveyed using underwater visual censuses and recently with eDNA metabarcoding. Although a promising tool, eDNA studies have shown contrasting results related to its detection scale and the number of species identified compared to other survey methods. Also, its accuracy relies on complete reference databases used for taxonomic assignment and, as other survey methods, species detection may show false-negative and false-positive errors. Here, we compared results from underwater visual censuses and simultaneous eDNA metabarcoding fish surveys in terms of observed species and community composition. We also assess the effect of a custom reference database in the taxonomic assignment, and evaluate occupancy, capture and detection probabilities, as well as error rates of eDNA survey data. We amplified a 12S rRNA fish barcode from 24 sampling sites in the gulf of California. More species were detected with eDNA metabarcoding than with UVC. Because each survey method largely detected different sets of species, the combined approach doubled the number of species registered. Both survey methods recovered a known biodiversity gradient and a biogeographic break, but eDNA captured diversity over a broader geographic and bathymetric scale. Furthermore, the use of a modest-sized custom reference database significantly increased taxonomic assignment. In a subset of species, occupancy models revealed eDNA surveys provided similar or higher detection probabilities compared to UVC. The occupancy value of each species had a large influence on eDNA detectability, and in the false positive and negative error. Overall, these results highlight the potential of eDNA metabarcoding in complementing other established ecological methods for studies of marine fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Valdivia-Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular, Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Ensenada, Baja California Sur, México.,Lab Applied Genomics, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Axayácatl Rocha-Olivares
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular, Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Ensenada, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Héctor Reyes-Bonilla
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Adrian Munguia-Vega
- Conservation Genetics Laboratory & Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Lab Applied Genomics, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
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20
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Burian A, Mauvisseau Q, Bulling M, Domisch S, Qian S, Sweet M. Improving the reliability of eDNA data interpretation. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 21:1422-1433. [PMID: 33655639 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Global declines in biodiversity highlight the need to effectively monitor the density and distribution of threatened species. In recent years, molecular survey methods detecting DNA released by target-species into their environment (eDNA) have been rapidly on the rise. Despite providing new, cost-effective tools for conservation, eDNA-based methods are prone to errors. Best field and laboratory practices can mitigate some, but the risks of errors cannot be eliminated and need to be accounted for. Here, we synthesize recent advances in data processing tools that increase the reliability of interpretations drawn from eDNA data. We review advances in occupancy models to consider spatial data-structures and simultaneously assess rates of false positive and negative results. Further, we introduce process-based models and the integration of metabarcoding data as complementing approaches to increase the reliability of target-species assessments. These tools will be most effective when capitalizing on multi-source data sets collating eDNA with classical survey and citizen-science approaches, paving the way for more robust decision-making processes in conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Burian
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK.,Marine Ecology Department, Lurio University, Nampula, Mozambique.,Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Quentin Mauvisseau
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK.,Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mark Bulling
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Sami Domisch
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Song Qian
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
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21
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Wang S, Yan Z, Hänfling B, Zheng X, Wang P, Fan J, Li J. Methodology of fish eDNA and its applications in ecology and environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142622. [PMID: 33059148 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fish environmental DNA (eDNA) studies have made substantial progress during the past decade, and significant advances in monitoring fishes have been gained by taking advantage of this technology. Although a number of reviews concerning eDNA are available and some recent fish eDNA reviews focused on fisheries or standard method have been published, a systematic review of methodology of fish eDNA and its applications in ecology and environment has not yet been published. To our knowledge, this is the first review of fish eDNA for solving ecological and environmental issues. First, the most comprehensive literature analysis of fish eDNA was presented and analyzed. Then, we systematically discuss the relevant experiments and analyses of fish eDNA, and infers that standard workflow is on the way to consensus. We additionally provide reference sequence databases and the primers used to amplify the reference sequences or detecting fish eDNA. The abiotic and biotic conditions affecting fish eDNA persistence are also summarized in a schematic diagram. Subsequently, we focus on the major achievements of fish eDNA in ecology and environment. We additionally highlight the exciting new tools, including in situ autonomous monitoring devices, CRISPR nucleic acid detection technology, and meta-omics technology for fish eDNA detection in future. Ultimately, methodology of fish eDNA will provide a wholly new paradigm for conservation actions of fishes, ecological and environmental management at a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Zhenguang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Bernd Hänfling
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Xin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Pengyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Juntao Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Jianlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan 570228, China
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22
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Tarof SA, Crookes S, Moxley K, Hathaway J, Cameron G, Hanner RH. Environmental DNA bioassays corroborate field data for detection of overwintering species at risk Blanding's turtles ( Emydoidea blandingii). Genome 2021; 64:299-310. [PMID: 33538216 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2020-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is gaining traction in conservation ecology as a powerful tool for detecting species at risk. We developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to detect a DNA amplicon fragment of the mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide locus of the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) for detecting overwintering individuals. Seventy-eight water samples were collected from 17 wetland sites in Ontario, Canada. We used traditional field data to identify a priori positive and negative control sites. Fifty percent of positive control sites amplified. Detection was related to the number of individuals estimated from field observations in at least one region surveyed. Positive control sites had lower total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity in relation to negative control sites. Shedding rates were within the same order of magnitude for brumating and active turtles. We recommend collecting additional samples at a larger number of locations to maximize detection. Recommended sampling design changes may overshadow the additional effects of water chemistry and low eDNA shedding rates. eDNA offers tremendous potential to practitioners conducting species at risk assessments in environmental consulting by providing a faster, more efficient method of detection compared with traditional surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Tarof
- Azimuth Environmental Consulting, Inc., 642 Welham Road, Barrie, ON L4N 9A1, Canada
| | - Steven Crookes
- Precision Biomonitoring Inc., Orchard Park, Suite #226, 5420 Highway 6 North, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2, Canada
| | - Kelsey Moxley
- Scales Nature Park, 82 Line 15 South, Oro-Medonte, ON L3V 8H9, Canada
| | - Jeff Hathaway
- Scales Nature Park, 82 Line 15 South, Oro-Medonte, ON L3V 8H9, Canada
| | - Graham Cameron
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (Bancroft District), 106 Monck Street, Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0, Canada
| | - Robert H Hanner
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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23
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Jerde CL. Can we manage fisheries with the inherent uncertainty from eDNA? JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:341-353. [PMID: 31769024 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental (e)DNA, as a general approach in aquatic systems, seeks to connect the presence of species' genetic material in the water and hence to infer the species' physical presence. However, fisheries managers face making decisions with risk and uncertainty when eDNA indicates a fish is present but traditional methods fail to capture the fish. In comparison with traditional methods such as nets, electrofishing and piscicides, eDNA approaches have more sources of underlying error that could give rise to false positives. This has resulted in some managers to question whether eDNA can be used to make management decisions because there is no fish in hand. As a relatively new approach, the methods and techniques have quickly evolved to improve confidence in eDNA. By evaluating an eDNA based research programmes through the pattern of the eDNA signal, assay design, experimental design, quality assurance and quality control checks, data analyses and concurrent search for fish using traditional gears, the evidence for fish presence can be evaluated to build confidence in the eDNA approach. The benefits for fisheries management from adopting an eDNA approach are numerous but include cost effectiveness, broader geographic coverage of habitat occupancy, early detection of invasive species, non-lethal stock assessments, exploration of previously inaccessible aquatic environments and discovery of new species hidden beneath the water's surface. At a time when global freshwater and marine fisheries are facing growing threats from over-harvest, pollution and climate change, we anticipate that growing confidence in eDNA will overcome the inherent uncertainty of not having a fish in hand and will empower the informed management actions necessary to protect and restore our fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Jerde
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
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Brys R, Halfmaerten D, Neyrinck S, Mauvisseau Q, Auwerx J, Sweet M, Mergeay J. Reliable eDNA detection and quantification of the European weather loach (Misgurnus fossilis). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:399-414. [PMID: 32154579 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The European weather loach (Misgurnus fossilis) is a cryptic and poorly known fish species of high conservation concern. The species is experiencing dramatic population collapses across its native range to the point of regional extinction. Although environmental DNA (eDNA)-based approaches offer clear advantages over conventional field methods for monitoring rare and endangered species, accurate detection and quantification remain difficult and quality assessment is often poorly incorporated. In this study, we developed and validated a novel digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) eDNA-based method for reliable detection and quantification, which allows accurate monitoring of M. fossilis across a number of habitat types. A dilution experiment under laboratory conditions allowed the definition of the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ), which were set at concentrations of 0.07 and 0.14 copies μl-1 , respectively. A series of aquarium experiments revealed a significant and positive relationship between the number of individuals and the eDNA concentration measured. During a 3 year survey (2017-2019), we assessed 96 locations for the presence of M. fossilis in Flanders (Belgium). eDNA analyses on these samples highlighted 45% positive detections of the species. On the basis of the eDNA concentration per litre of water, only 12 sites appeared to harbour relatively dense populations. The other 31 sites gave a relatively weak positive signal that was typically situated below the LOQ. Combining sample-specific estimates of effective DNA quantity (Qe ) and conventional field sampling, we concluded that each of these weak positive sites still likely harboured the species and therefore they do not represent false positives. Further, only seven of the classified negative samples warrant additional sampling as our analyses identified a substantial risk of false-negative detections (i.e., type II errors) at these locations. Finally, we illustrated that ddPCR outcompetes conventional qPCR analyses, especially when target DNA concentrations are critically low, which could be attributed to a reduced sensitivity of ddPCR to inhibition effects, higher sample concentrations being accommodated and higher sensitivity obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rein Brys
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | | | - Sabrina Neyrinck
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Quentin Mauvisseau
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
- SureScreen Scientifics Ltd, Morley, UK
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Michael Sweet
- Aquatic Research Facility, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, UK
- SureScreen Scientifics Ltd, Morley, UK
| | - Joachim Mergeay
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
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25
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Penaluna BE, Allen JM, Arismendi I, Levi T, Garcia TS, Walter JK. Better boundaries: identifying the upper extent of fish distributions in forested streams using eDNA and electrofishing. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E. Penaluna
- Pacific Northwest Research Station U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - Jennifer M. Allen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - Ivan Arismendi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - Tiffany S. Garcia
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University 104 Nash Hall Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - Jason K. Walter
- Weyerhaeuser Centralia Research Center 505 North Pearl Street Centralia Washington98531USA
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26
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Using environmental DNA methods to survey for rare groundwater fauna: Detection of an endangered endemic cave crayfish in northern Alabama. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242741. [PMID: 33301442 PMCID: PMC7728221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The conservation and management of subterranean biodiversity is hindered by a lack of knowledge on the true distributions for many species, e.g., the Wallacean shortfall. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) as an effective approach to detect and monitor biodiversity, including rare, threatened, and endangered taxa. However, there are few eDNA studies of groundwater fauna. Here we report the results of the development and implementation of an eDNA assay targeting a short fragment of the mitochondrial CO1 locus of a critically imperiled cave crayfish, the Sweet Home Alabama Cave Crayfish (Cambarus speleocoopi), known from just four cave systems in the Interior Plateau karst region of northern Alabama. We detected C. speleocoopi DNA from water samples collected at 5 of 16 sites sampled (caves and springs), including two historical sites as well as three additional and potentially new sites in Marshall County, Alabama. All three of these sites were within 2 km of historical sites. Our study is the first to detect a groundwater crustacean in the Interior Plateau karst region. Additionally, our study contributes to the growing literature that eDNA is a viable complementary tool for detection and monitoring of a fauna that is difficult to survey and study using traditional approaches.
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27
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Drinkwater R, Jucker T, Potter JHT, Swinfield T, Coomes DA, Slade EM, Gilbert MTP, Lewis OT, Bernard H, Struebig MJ, Clare EL, Rossiter SJ. Leech blood-meal invertebrate-derived DNA reveals differences in Bornean mammal diversity across habitats. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:3299-3312. [PMID: 33171014 PMCID: PMC8359290 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The application of metabarcoding to environmental and invertebrate‐derived DNA (eDNA and iDNA) is a new and increasingly applied method for monitoring biodiversity across a diverse range of habitats. This approach is particularly promising for sampling in the biodiverse humid tropics, where rapid land‐use change for agriculture means there is a growing need to understand the conservation value of the remaining mosaic and degraded landscapes. Here we use iDNA from blood‐feeding leeches (Haemadipsa picta) to assess differences in mammalian diversity across a gradient of forest degradation in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We screened 557 individual leeches for mammal DNA by targeting fragments of the 16S rRNA gene and detected 14 mammalian genera. We recorded lower mammal diversity in the most heavily degraded forest compared to higher quality twice logged forest. Although the accumulation curves of diversity estimates were comparable across these habitat types, diversity was higher in twice logged forest, with more taxa of conservation concern. In addition, our analysis revealed differences between the community recorded in the heavily logged forest and that of the twice logged forest. By revealing differences in mammal diversity across a human‐modified tropical landscape, our study demonstrates the value of iDNA as a noninvasive biomonitoring approach in conservation assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Drinkwater
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Tommaso Jucker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Joshua H T Potter
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Tom Swinfield
- Department of Plant Sciences, Forest and Ecology Conservation Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David A Coomes
- Department of Plant Sciences, Forest and Ecology Conservation Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eleanor M Slade
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,University Museum, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Owen T Lewis
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Henry Bernard
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Matthew J Struebig
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Stephen J Rossiter
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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28
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Jo T, Tomita S, Kohmatsu Y, Osathanunkul M, Ushimaru A, Minamoto T. Seasonal monitoring of Hida salamander Hynobius kimurae using environmental DNA with a genus-specific primer set. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2020. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity and the abundance of amphibians have dramatically declined globally over the past 30 years, and the monitoring and conservation of their habitats is essential. However, traditional methods such as bait trapping and mark-recapture are costly, and morphological identification usually requires a high level of taxonomic expertise. Here, seasonal surveillances of Hida salamanderHynobius kimuraewere performed by means of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis withHynobius-specific primers and a species-specific TaqMan probe. Water sampling and visual surveys were conducted seasonally in a stream in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Detection rates of eDNA were then calculated by real-time PCR, and eDNA site occupancy probability was estimated by multi-scale occupancy modeling. The eDNA-based detection rate of Hida salamander was 76.7%, whereas the visual survey-based detection rate was 23.3%, and target eDNA was detected at almost all sites where the presence of target species was visually confirmed. Moreover, factors relating to the site- and sample-level occurrence probabilities of the target eDNA differed depending on the developmental stage of the target species. Our findings support previous studies showing that eDNA analysis enables an effective assessment of amphibian distributions without damaging the organisms or their habitat, and we compare for the first time the site occupancy probability of amphibian eDNA throughout the life cycle of an amphibian species. The present study contributes to the development of eDNA analysis as a tool for understanding the distribution and seasonal activity of amphibian species and will thus aid in the planning of conservation measures and habitat restoration for these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jo
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, 3-11, Tsurukabuto, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - S Tomita
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, 3-11, Tsurukabuto, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Y Kohmatsu
- Ritsumeikan-Global Innovation Research Organization, 56-1, Tojiin-Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 603-8577, Japan
| | - M Osathanunkul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry and Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - A Ushimaru
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, 3-11, Tsurukabuto, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - T Minamoto
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, 3-11, Tsurukabuto, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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29
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Curtis AN, Tiemann JS, Douglass SA, Davis MA, Larson ER. High stream flows dilute environmental DNA (eDNA) concentrations and reduce detectability. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda N. Curtis
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Jeremy S. Tiemann
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Champaign IL USA
| | - Sarah A. Douglass
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Champaign IL USA
| | - Mark A. Davis
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Champaign IL USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Eric R. Larson
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
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30
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Yu J, Young RG, Deeth LE, Hanner RH. Molecular Detection Mapping and Analysis Platform for R (MDMAPR) facilitating the standardization, analysis, visualization, and sharing of qPCR data and metadata. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9974. [PMID: 33150057 PMCID: PMC7587055 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has been used as a standard molecular detection tool in many scientific fields. Unfortunately, there is no standard method for managing published qPCR data, and those currently used generally focus on only managing raw fluorescence data. However, associated with qPCR experiments are extensive sample and assay metadata, often under-examined and under-reported. Here, we present the Molecular Detection Mapping and Analysis Platform for R (MDMAPR), an open-source and fully scalable informatics tool for researchers to merge raw qPCR fluorescence data with associated metadata into a standard format, while geospatially visualizing the distribution of the data and relative intensity of the qPCR results. The advance of this approach is in the ability to use MDMAPR to store varied qPCR data. This includes pathogen and environmental qPCR species detection studies ideally suited to geographical visualization. However, it also goes beyond these and can be utilized with other qPCR data including gene expression studies, quantification studies used in identifying health dangers associated with food and water bacteria, and the identification of unknown samples. In addition, MDMAPR’s novel centralized management and geospatial visualization of qPCR data can further enable cross-discipline large-scale qPCR data standardization and accessibility to support research spanning multiple fields of science and qPCR applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojia Yu
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert G Young
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lorna E Deeth
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert H Hanner
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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31
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Martel CM, Sutter M, Dorazio RM, Kinziger AP. Using environmental DNA and occupancy modelling to estimate rangewide metapopulation dynamics. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:3340-3354. [PMID: 33063415 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the power of combining two emergent tools for resolving rangewide metapopulation dynamics. First, we employed environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to efficiently generate multiseason rangewide site occupancy histories. Second, we developed a novel dynamic, spatial multiscale occupancy model to estimate metapopulation dynamics. The model incorporates spatial relationships, explicitly accounts for non-detection bias and allows direct evaluation of the drivers of extinction and colonization. We applied these tools to examine metapopulation dynamics of endangered tidewater goby, a species endemic to California estuarine habitats. We analysed rangewide eDNA data from 190 geographically isolated sites (813 total water samples) surveyed from 2 years (2016 and 2017). Rangewide estimates of the proportion of sites that were occupied varied little between 2016 (0.52) and 2017 (0.51). However, there was evidence of extinction and colonization dynamics. The probability of extinction of an occupied site (0.106) and probability of colonization of an unoccupied site (0.085) were nearly equal. Stability in site occupancy proportions combined with nearly equal rates of extinction and colonization suggests a dynamic equilibrium between the 2 years surveyed. Assessment of covariate effects revealed that colonization probability increased as the number of occupied neighbouring sites increased and as distance between occupied sites decreased. We show that eDNA surveys can rapidly provide a snapshot of a species distribution over a broad geographic range and, when these surveys are paired with occupancy modelling, can uncover metapopulation dynamics and their drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad M Martel
- Department of Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, USA
| | - Michael Sutter
- Department of Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrew P Kinziger
- Department of Fisheries Biology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, USA
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32
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Abad-Franch F. Chagas disease diagnosis and cure assessment: Getting formally hierarchical about a naturally hierarchical problem. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008751. [PMID: 33120404 PMCID: PMC7595277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Abad-Franch
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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33
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Sieber N, Hartikainen H, Vorburger C. Validation of an eDNA-based method for the detection of wildlife pathogens in water. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 141:171-184. [PMID: 33089822 DOI: 10.3354/dao03524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the occurrence and density of parasites and pathogens can identify high infection-risk areas and facilitates disease control and eradication measures. Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques are increasingly used for pathogen detection due to their relative ease of application. Since many factors affect the reliability and efficacy of eDNA-based detection, rigorous validation and assessment of method limitations is a crucial first step. We evaluated an eDNA detection method using in situ filtration of large-volume water samples, developed to detect and quantify aquatic wildlife parasites by quantitative PCR (qPCR). We assessed method reliability using Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a pathogenic fungus of amphibians and the myxozoan Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, causative agent of salmonid proliferative kidney disease, in a controlled experimental setup. Different amounts of parasite spores were added to tanks containing either clean tap water or water from a semi-natural mesocosm community. Overall detection rates were higher than 80%, but detection was not consistent among replicate samples. Within-tank variation in detection emphasises the need for increased site-level replication when dealing with parasites and pathogens. Estimated parasite DNA concentrations in water samples were highly variable, and a significant increase with higher spore concentrations was observed only for B. dendrobatidis. Despite evidence for PCR inhibition in DNA extractions from mesocosm water samples, the type of water did not affect detection rates significantly. Direct spiking controls revealed that the filtration step reduced detection sensitivity. Our study identifies sensitive quantification and sufficient replication as major remaining challenges for the eDNA-based methods for detection of parasites in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Sieber
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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34
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Stratton C, Sepulveda AJ, Hoegh A. msocc: Fit and analyse computationally efficient multi‐scale occupancy models in
r. Methods Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Stratton
- Department of Mathematical Sciences Montana State University Bozeman MT USA
| | - Adam J. Sepulveda
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science CenterU.S. Geological Survey Bozeman MT USA
| | - Andrew Hoegh
- Department of Mathematical Sciences Montana State University Bozeman MT USA
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35
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Thakur IS, Roy D. Environmental DNA and RNA as Records of Human Exposome, Including Biotic/Abiotic Exposures and Its Implications in the Assessment of the Role of Environment in Chronic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144879. [PMID: 32664313 PMCID: PMC7402316 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of environment-related diseases often result from multiple exposures of abiotic and/or biotic stressors across various life stages. The application of environmental DNA/RNA (eDNA/eRNA) to advance ecological understanding has been very successfully used. However, the eminent extension of eDNA/eRNA-based approaches to estimate human exposure to biotic and/or abiotic environmental stressors to understand the environmental causes of chronic diseases has yet to start. Here, we introduce the potential of eDNA/eRNA for bio-monitoring of human exposome and health effects in the real environmental or occupational settings. This review is the first of its kind to discuss how eDNA/eRNA-based approaches can be applied for assessing the human exposome. eDNA-based exposome assessment is expected to rely on our ability to capture the genome- and epigenome-wide signatures left behind by individuals in the indoor and outdoor physical spaces through shedding, excreting, etc. Records of eDNA/eRNA exposome may reflect the early appearance, persistence, and presence of biotic and/or abiotic-exposure-mediated modifications in these nucleic acid molecules. Functional genome- and epigenome-wide mapping of eDNA offer great promise to help elucidate the human exposome. Assessment of longitudinal exposure to physical, biological, and chemical agents present in the environment through eDNA/eRNA may enable the building of an integrative causal dynamic stochastic model to estimate environmental causes of human health deficits. This model is expected to incorporate key biological pathways and gene networks linking individuals, their geographic locations, and random multi-hits of environmental factors. Development and validation of monitoring of eDNA/eRNA exposome should seriously be considered to introduce into safety and risk assessment and as surrogates of chronic exposure to environmental stressors. Here we highlight that eDNA/eRNA reflecting longitudinal exposure of both biotic and abiotic environmental stressors may serve as records of human exposome and discuss its application as molecular tools for understanding the toxicogenomics basis of environment-related health deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Shekhar Thakur
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
- Correspondence: (I.S.T.); (D.R.); Tel.: +91-2670-4321 (I.S.T.); +1-30-5348-1694 (D.R.)
| | - Deodutta Roy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Correspondence: (I.S.T.); (D.R.); Tel.: +91-2670-4321 (I.S.T.); +1-30-5348-1694 (D.R.)
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36
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Rusch JC, Mojžišová M, Strand DA, Svobodová J, Vrålstad T, Petrusek A. Simultaneous detection of native and invasive crayfish and Aphanomyces astaci from environmental DNA samples in a wide range of habitats in Central Europe. NEOBIOTA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.58.49358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Crayfish of North American origin are amongst the most prominent high-impact invasive invertebrates in European freshwaters. They contribute to the decline of European native crayfish species by spreading the pathogen causing crayfish plague, the oomyceteAphanomyces astaci. In this study we validated the specificity of four quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, either published or newly developed, usable for environmental DNA (eDNA) screening for widely distributed native and non-native crayfish present in Central Europe:Astacus astacus,Pacifastacus leniusculus,Faxonius limosusandProcambarus virginalis. We then conducted an eDNA monitoring survey of these crayfish as well as the crayfish plague pathogen in a wide variety of habitat types representative for Central and Western Europe. The specificity of qPCR assays was validated against an extensive collection of crayfish DNA isolates, containing most crayfish species documented from European waters. The three assays developed in this study were sufficiently species-specific, but the published assay forF. limosusdisplayed a weak cross-reaction with multiple other crayfish species of the family Cambaridae. In the field study, we infrequently detected eDNA ofA. astacitogether with the three non-native crayfish species under examination. We never detected eDNA fromA. astacitogether with native crayfish, but in a few locations eDNA from both native and non-native crayfish was captured, due either to passive transport of eDNA from upstream populations or co-existence in the absence of infected crayfish carriers ofA. astaci. In the study, we evaluated a robust, easy-to-use and low-cost version of the eDNA sampling equipment, based mostly on items readily available in garden stores and hobby markets, for filtering relatively large (~5 l) water samples. It performed just as well as the far more expensive equipment industrially designed for eDNA water sampling, thus opening the possibility of collecting suitable eDNA samples to a wide range of stakeholders. Overall, our study confirms that eDNA-based screening for crayfish and their associated pathogen is a feasible alternative to traditional monitoring.
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Crookes S, Heer T, Castañeda RA, Mandrak NE, Heath DD, Weyl OLF, MacIsaac HJ, Foxcroft LC. Monitoring the silver carp invasion in Africa: a case study using environmental DNA (eDNA) in dangerous watersheds. NEOBIOTA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.56.47475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Biodiverse habitats are increasingly subject to an intensification of anthropogenic stressors that may severely diminish species richness. Invasive species pose a dominant threat to biodiversity and biosecurity, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like Kruger National Park, South Africa. The invasive silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, was introduced into the Olifants River and may experience range spread owing to favorable environmental conditions. Intensive monitoring protocols are necessary to effectively manage invasions of species like silver carp. Unfortunately, tropical and sub-tropical aquatic systems are difficult to monitor using conventional methods (e.g., netting, electrofishing and snorkeling) owing to a range of factors including the presence of dangerous megafauna. Conservation of such systems may be advanced by the adoption of novel methods, including environmental DNA (eDNA) detection. Here, we explore the utility of environmental DNA (eDNA) to conduct safe, reliable and repeatable surveys in dangerous watersheds using silver carp as a case study. We conducted eDNA surveys at 12 sites in two neighbouring watersheds, and determined that the species has expanded its range within the Olifants River and to the south in the Sabie River. Expansion in the former is consistent with the presence of suitable spawning conditions. We discuss the implications of this survey for biodiversity monitoring in similar aquatic systems in the tropics and advocate an integrative approach to biomonitoring in these ecosystems.
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38
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Kumar G, Eble JE, Gaither MR. A practical guide to sample preservation and pre-PCR processing of aquatic environmental DNA. Mol Ecol Resour 2019; 20:29-39. [PMID: 31633859 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is rapidly growing in popularity as a tool for community assessments and species detection. While eDNA approaches are now widely applied, there is not yet agreement on best practices for sample collection and processing. Investigators looking to integrate eDNA approaches into their research programme are required to examine a growing collection of disparate studies to make an often uncertain decision about which protocols best fit their needs. To promote the application of eDNA approaches and to encourage the generation of high-quality data, here we review the most common techniques for the collection, preservation and extraction of metazoan eDNA from water samples. Specifically, we focus on experimental studies that compare various methods and outline the numerous challenges associated with eDNA. While the diverse applications of eDNA do not lend themselves to a one-size-fits-all recommendation, in most cases, capture/concentration of eDNA on cellulose nitrate filters (with pore size determined by water turbidity), followed by storage of filters in Longmire's buffer and extraction with a DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (or similar) has been shown to provide sufficient, high-quality DNA. However, we also emphasize the importance of testing and optimizing protocols for the system of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girish Kumar
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Jeff E Eble
- Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL, USA
| | - Michelle R Gaither
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, Orlando, FL, USA
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39
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Combining ddPCR and environmental DNA to improve detection capabilities of a critically endangered freshwater invertebrate. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14064. [PMID: 31575968 PMCID: PMC6773776 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50571-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Isogenus nubecula is a critically endangered Plecoptera species. Considered extinct in the UK, I. nubecula was recently rediscovered (in one location of the River Dee, Wales), after 22 years of absence. In a similar way to many other species of Perlodidae, I. nubecula could be utilised as a bio-indicator, for assessing water quality and health status of a given freshwater system. However, conventional monitoring of invertebrates via kick-sampling, is invasive and expensive (time consuming). Further, such methods require a high level of taxonomic expertise. Here, we compared the traditional kick-sampling method with the use of eDNA detection using qPCR and ddPCR-analyses. In spring 2018, we sampled eDNA from twelve locations on the River Dee. I. nubecula was detected using kick-sampling in five of these locations, three locations using both eDNA detection and kick-sampling and one location using eDNA detection alone – resulting in a total of six known and distinct populations of this critically endangered species. Interestingly, despite the eDNA assay being validated in vitro and in silico, and results indicating high sensitivity, qPCR analysis of the eDNA samples proved to be ineffective. In contrast, ddPCR analyses resulted in a clear detection of I. nubecula at four locations suggesting that inhibition most likely explains the large discrepancy between the obtained qPCR and ddPCR results. It is therefore important to explore inhibition effects on any new eDNA assay. We also highlight that ddPCR may well be the best option for the detection of aquatic organisms which are either rare or likely to shed low levels of eDNA into their environment.
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Mize EL, Erickson RA, Merkes CM, Berndt N, Bockrath K, Credico J, Grueneis N, Merry J, Mosel K, Tuttle-Lau M, Von Ruden K, Woiak Z, Amberg JJ, Baerwaldt K, Finney S, Monroe E. Refinement of eDNA as an early monitoring tool at the landscape-level: study design considerations. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01951. [PMID: 31188494 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Natural resource managers use data on the spatial range of species to guide management decisions. These data come from survey or monitoring efforts that use a wide variety of tools. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a surveillance tool that uses genetic markers for detecting species and holds potential as a tool for large-scale monitoring programs. Two challenges of eDNA-based studies are uncertainties created by imperfect capture of eDNA in collection samples (e.g., water field samples) and imperfect detection of eDNA using molecular methods (e.g., quantitative PCR). Occurrence models can be used to address these challenges, thus we use an occurrence model to address two objectives: first, to determine how many samples were required to detect species using eDNA; second, to examine when and where to take samples. We collected water samples from three different habitat types in the Upper Mississippi River when both Bighead Carp and Silver Carp were known to be present based on telemetry detections. Each habitat type (backwater, tributary, and impoundment) was sampled during April, May, and November. Detections of eDNA for both species varied across sites and months, but were generally low, 0-19.3% of samples were positive for eDNA. Overall, we found that eDNA-based sampling holds promise to be a powerful monitoring tool for resource managers; however, limitations of eDNA-based sampling include different biological and ecological characteristics of target species such as seasonal habitat usage patterns as well as aspects of different physical environments that impact the implementation of these methods such as water temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Mize
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - R A Erickson
- Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Service, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54603, USA
| | - C M Merkes
- Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Service, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54603, USA
| | - N Berndt
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - K Bockrath
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - J Credico
- Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - N Grueneis
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - J Merry
- La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - K Mosel
- La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - M Tuttle-Lau
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - K Von Ruden
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - Z Woiak
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - J J Amberg
- Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Service, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54603, USA
| | - K Baerwaldt
- Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - S Finney
- La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
| | - E Monroe
- Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Midwest Fisheries Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 555 Lester Avenue, Onalaska, Wisconsin, 54650, USA
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Abrams JF, Hörig LA, Brozovic R, Axtner J, Crampton‐Platt A, Mohamed A, Wong ST, Sollmann R, Yu DW, Wilting A. Shifting up a gear with
iDNA
: From mammal detection events to standardised surveys. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse F. Abrams
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Lisa A. Hörig
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Robert Brozovic
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Jan Axtner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | | | - Azlan Mohamed
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Seth T. Wong
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology University of California Davis Davis California
| | - Douglas W. Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming Yunnan China
- School of Biological Sciences University of East AngliaNorwich Research Park Norwich Norfolk UK
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
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Environmental DNA for improved detection and environmental surveillance of schistosomiasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8931-8940. [PMID: 30975758 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815046116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a water-based, infectious disease with high morbidity and significant economic burdens affecting >250 million people globally. Disease control has, with notable success, for decades focused on drug treatment of infected human populations, but a recent paradigm shift now entails moving from control to elimination. To achieve this ambitious goal, more sensitive diagnostic tools are needed to monitor progress toward transmission interruption in the environment, especially in low-intensity infection areas. We report on the development of an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based tool to efficiently detect DNA traces of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni directly in the aquatic environment, where the nonhuman part of the parasite life cycle occurs. This is a report of the successful detection of S. mansoni in freshwater samples by using aquatic eDNA. True eDNA was detected in as few as 10 cercariae per liter of water in laboratory experiments. The field applicability of the method was tested at known transmission sites in Kenya, where comparison of schistosome detection by conventional snail surveys (snail collection and cercariae shedding) with eDNA (water samples) showed 71% agreement between the methods. The eDNA method furthermore detected schistosome presence at two additional sites where snail shedding failed, demonstrating a higher sensitivity of eDNA sampling. We conclude that eDNA provides a promising tool to substantially improve the environmental surveillance of S. mansoni Given the proper method and guideline development, eDNA could become an essential future component of the schistosomiasis control tool box needed to achieve the goal of elimination.
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43
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Orzechowski SCM, Frederick PC, Dorazio RM, Hunter ME. Environmental DNA sampling reveals high occupancy rates of invasive Burmese pythons at wading bird breeding aggregations in the central Everglades. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213943. [PMID: 30970028 PMCID: PMC6457569 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is now established as a breeding population throughout south Florida, USA. However, the extent of the invasion, and the ecological impacts of this novel apex predator on animal communities are incompletely known, in large part because Burmese pythons (hereafter “pythons”) are extremely cryptic and there has been no efficient way to detect them. Pythons are recently confirmed nest predators of long-legged wading bird breeding colonies (orders Ciconiiformes and Pelecaniformes). Pythons can consume large quantities of prey and may not be recognized as predators by wading birds, therefore they could be a particular threat to colonies. To quantify python occupancy rates at tree islands where wading birds breed, we utilized environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis—a genetic tool which detects shed DNA in water samples and provides high detection probabilities. We fitted multi-scale Bayesian occupancy models to test the prediction that pythons occupy islands with wading bird colonies at higher rates compared to representative control islands containing no breeding birds. Our results suggest that pythons are widely distributed across the central Everglades in proximity to active wading bird colonies. In support of our prediction that pythons are attracted to colonies, site-level python eDNA occupancy rates were higher at wading bird colonies (ψ = 0.88, 95% credible interval [0.59–1.00]) than at the control islands (ψ = 0.42 [0.16–0.80]) in April through June (n = 15 colony-control pairs). We found our water temperature proxy (time of day) to be informative of detection probability, in accordance with other studies demonstrating an effect of temperature on eDNA degradation in occupied samples. Individual sample concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 38.29 copies/μL and we generally detected higher concentrations of python eDNA in colony sites. Continued monitoring of wading bird colonies is warranted to determine the effect pythons are having on populations and investigate putative management activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia C. M. Orzechowski
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter C. Frederick
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Dorazio
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Margaret E. Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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44
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Axtner J, Crampton-Platt A, Hörig LA, Mohamed A, Xu CCY, Yu DW, Wilting A. An efficient and robust laboratory workflow and tetrapod database for larger scale environmental DNA studies. Gigascience 2019; 8:giz029. [PMID: 30997489 PMCID: PMC6461710 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giz029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of environmental DNA for species detection via metabarcoding is growing rapidly. We present a co-designed lab workflow and bioinformatic pipeline to mitigate the 2 most important risks of environmental DNA use: sample contamination and taxonomic misassignment. These risks arise from the need for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to detect the trace amounts of DNA combined with the necessity of using short target regions due to DNA degradation. FINDINGS Our high-throughput workflow minimizes these risks via a 4-step strategy: (i) technical replication with 2 PCR replicates and 2 extraction replicates; (ii) using multi-markers (12S,16S,CytB); (iii) a "twin-tagging," 2-step PCR protocol; and (iv) use of the probabilistic taxonomic assignment method PROTAX, which can account for incomplete reference databases. Because annotation errors in the reference sequences can result in taxonomic misassignment, we supply a protocol for curating sequence datasets. For some taxonomic groups and some markers, curation resulted in >50% of sequences being deleted from public reference databases, owing to (i) limited overlap between our target amplicon and reference sequences, (ii) mislabelling of reference sequences, and (iii) redundancy. Finally, we provide a bioinformatic pipeline to process amplicons and conduct PROTAX assignment and tested it on an invertebrate-derived DNA dataset from 1,532 leeches from Sabah, Malaysia. Twin-tagging allowed us to detect and exclude sequences with non-matching tags. The smallest DNA fragment (16S) amplified most frequently for all samples but was less powerful for discriminating at species rank. Using a stringent and lax acceptance criterion we found 162 (stringent) and 190 (lax) vertebrate detections of 95 (stringent) and 109 (lax) leech samples. CONCLUSIONS Our metabarcoding workflow should help research groups increase the robustness of their results and therefore facilitate wider use of environmental and invertebrate-derived DNA, which is turning into a valuable source of ecological and conservation information on tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Axtner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex Crampton-Platt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa A Hörig
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Azlan Mohamed
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles C Y Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang East Rd, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
- Redpath Museum and Department of Biology, McGill University 859 Sherbooke Street West, Montreal, PQ, Canada H3A 2K6
| | - Douglas W Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 Jiaochang East Rd, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR47TJ, UK
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Ecological Dynamics, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
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45
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Improving eDNA yield and inhibitor reduction through increased water volumes and multi-filter isolation techniques. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5259. [PMID: 30918268 PMCID: PMC6437164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40977-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
To inform management and conservation decisions, environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are used to detect genetic material shed into the water by imperiled and invasive species. Methodological enhancements are needed to reduce filter clogging, PCR inhibition, and false-negative detections when eDNA is at low concentrations. In the first of three simple experiments, we sought to ameliorate filter clogging from particulates and organic material through a scaled-up, multi-filter protocol. We combined four filters in a 5 mL Phenol-Chloroform-Isoamyl (PCI) procedure to allow for larger volumes of water (~1 L) to be filtered rapidly. Increasing the filtered water volume by four times resulted in 4.4X the yield of target DNA. Next, inhibition from organic material can reduce or block eDNA detections in PCR-based assays. To remove inhibitory compounds retained during eDNA isolation, we tested three methods to chemically strip inhibitors from eDNA molecules. The use of CTAB as a short-term (5–8 day) storage buffer, followed by a PCI isolation, resulted in the highest eDNA yields. Finally, as opposed to a linear relationship among increasing concentrations of filtered genomic eDNA, we observed a sharp change between the lower (70–280 ng) and higher (420–560 ng) amounts. This may be important for effectively precipitating eDNA during protocol testing.
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46
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Marshall NT, Stepien CA. Invasion genetics from eDNA and thousands of larvae: A targeted metabarcoding assay that distinguishes species and population variation of zebra and quagga mussels. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:3515-3538. [PMID: 30988898 PMCID: PMC6434565 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying species and population genetic compositions of biological invasions at early life stages and/or from environmental (e)DNA using targeted high-throughput sequencing (HTS) metabarcode assays offers powerful and cost-effective means for early detection, analysis of spread patterns, and evaluating population changes. The present study develops, tests, and applies this method with a targeted sequence assay designed to simultaneously identify and distinguish between the closely related invasive Eurasian zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis) and their relatives and discern their respective population genetic patterns. Invasions of these dreissenid mussel species have markedly changed freshwater ecosystems throughout North America and Europe, exerting severe ecological and economic damage. Their planktonic early life stages (eggs and larvae) are morphologically indistinguishable, yet each species exerts differential ecological effects, with the quagga often outcompeting the zebra mussel as adults. Our targeted assay analyzes genetic variation from a diagnostic sequence region of the mitochondrial (mt)DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene, to assess temporal and spatial inter- and intra-specific genetic variability. The assay facilitates analysis of environmental (e)DNA from water, early life stages from thousands of individuals, and simultaneous analysis of 50-100 tagged field-collected samples. Experiments evaluated its accuracy and performance using: (a) mock laboratory communities containing known DNA quantities per taxon, (b) aquaria with mixed-species/haplotype compositions of adults, and (c) field-collected water and plankton versus traditional sampling of adult communities. Results delineated species compositions, relative abundances, and population-level diversity differences among ecosystems, habitats, time series, and life stages from two allopatric concurrent invasions in the Great Lakes (Lake Erie) and the Hudson River, which had separate founding histories. Findings demonstrate application of this targeted assay and our approach to accurately and simultaneously discern species- and population-level differences across spatial and temporal scales, facilitating early detection and ecological understanding of biological invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel T. Marshall
- Genetics and Genomics Group, Department of Environmental SciencesThe University of ToledoToledoOhio
- Genetics and Genomics GroupNOAA Pacific Marine Environmental LaboratorySeattle, Washington
| | - Carol A. Stepien
- Genetics and Genomics GroupNOAA Pacific Marine Environmental LaboratorySeattle, Washington
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47
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Narum S, Chambers K. Editorial 2019. Mol Ecol Resour 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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48
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Davis AJ, Williams KE, Snow NP, Pepin KM, Piaggio AJ. Accounting for observation processes across multiple levels of uncertainty improves inference of species distributions and guides adaptive sampling of environmental DNA. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:10879-10892. [PMID: 30519414 PMCID: PMC6262734 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding factors that influence observation processes is critical for accurate assessment of underlying ecological processes. When indirect methods of detection, such as environmental DNA, are used to determine species presence, additional levels of uncertainty from observation processes need to be accounted for. We conducted a field trial to evaluate observation processes of a terrestrial invasive species (wild pigs- Sus scrofa) from DNA in water bodies. We used a multi-scale occupancy analysis to estimate different levels of observation processes (detection, p): the probability DNA is available per sample (θ), the probability of capturing DNA per extraction (γ), and the probability of amplification per qPCR run (δ). We selected four sites for each of three water body types and collected 10 samples per water body during two months (September and October 2016) in central Texas. Our methodology can be used to guide sampling adaptively to minimize costs while improving inference of species distributions. Using a removal sampling approach was more efficient than pooling samples and was unbiased. Availability of DNA varied by month, was considerably higher when water pH was near neutral, and was higher in ephemeral streams relative to wildlife guzzlers and ponds. To achieve a cumulative detection probability >90% (including availability, capture, and amplification), future studies should collect 20 water samples per site, conduct at least two extractions per sample, and conduct five qPCR replicates per extraction. Accounting for multiple levels of uncertainty of observation processes improved estimation of the ecological processes and provided guidance for future sampling designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J. Davis
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFort CollinsColorado
| | - Kelly E. Williams
- School of Environmental and Forest SciencesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashington
| | - Nathan P. Snow
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFort CollinsColorado
| | - Kim M. Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFort CollinsColorado
| | - Antoinette J. Piaggio
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFort CollinsColorado
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49
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Chen W, Ficetola GF. Conditionally autoregressive models improve occupancy analyses of autocorrelated data: An example with environmental DNA. Mol Ecol Resour 2018; 19:163-175. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Chen
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine (LECA) CNRS Univ. Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine (LECA) CNRS Univ. Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy Università degli Studi di Milano Milano Italy
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50
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Nichols RV, Vollmers C, Newsom LA, Wang Y, Heintzman PD, Leighton M, Green RE, Shapiro B. Minimizing polymerase biases in metabarcoding. Mol Ecol Resour 2018; 18:927-939. [PMID: 29797549 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
DNA metabarcoding is an increasingly popular method to characterize and quantify biodiversity in environmental samples. Metabarcoding approaches simultaneously amplify a short, variable genomic region, or "barcode," from a broad taxonomic group via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using universal primers that anneal to flanking conserved regions. Results of these experiments are reported as occurrence data, which provide a list of taxa amplified from the sample, or relative abundance data, which measure the relative contribution of each taxon to the overall composition of amplified product. The accuracy of both occurrence and relative abundance estimates can be affected by a variety of biological and technical biases. For example, taxa with larger biomass may be better represented in environmental samples than those with smaller biomass. Here, we explore how polymerase choice, a potential source of technical bias, might influence results in metabarcoding experiments. We compared potential biases of six commercially available polymerases using a combination of mixtures of amplifiable synthetic sequences and real sedimentary DNA extracts. We find that polymerase choice can affect both occurrence and relative abundance estimates and that the main source of this bias appears to be polymerase preference for sequences with specific GC contents. We further recommend an experimental approach for metabarcoding based on results of our synthetic experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth V Nichols
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Christopher Vollmers
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Lee A Newsom
- Department of Social Sciences, Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Peter D Heintzman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
- Tromsø University Museum, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - McKenna Leighton
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Richard E Green
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Beth Shapiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
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