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Tracking Ghosts: using environmental DNA detection to find invasive & endangered species. Chris Wilson Aquatic Research and Development Section, OMNR. http://www.activistangler.com/journal/tag/mississippi-river. Environmental DNA (eDNA).
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Tracking Ghosts: using environmental DNA detection to find invasive & endangered species Chris Wilson Aquatic Research and Development Section, OMNR
Environmental DNA (eDNA) • cells / DNA shed from living or dead organisms into surrounding environment • “molecular smoke alarm” • doesn’t say what the source was • living / dead; body parts; fluids, cells, free molecules, etc. • doesn’t tell re: age, sex, size, reproductive status, population info • positive detection= DNA from the species was present at that location when the sample was collected (photo: Leung et al. 2012)
Identifying seasonal habitat use of endangered species (spotted gar)
eDNA surveillance for Asian Carp in Lake Erie: rapid response to prevent establishment (photo courtesy of MN DNR) August 2011 samples July 2012 samples MNR samples (Sept-Nov 2012)
qPCR faster and more sensitive than regular detection methods detect < 10 DNA copies in tests from water samples Community eDNA environmental metagenomics not specific to a particular species (non-targeted detection) determine what species are present in eDNA samples; potential detection of “new” invasive or endangered species moving forward: quantitative detection and community eDNA (species ‘roll call’)