Development of Genetic Markers for Environmental DNA (eDNA) Monitoring of Sturgeon

摘要: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: All living organisms shed DNA into the environment. Recent studies have demonstrated that environmental water samples can be effectively assayed for of target organisms. The contained in these is commonly referred to as or eDNA. Because assays sensitive very small amounts genetic material, eDNA surveys potential detect sites where occur at low abundances, potentially even when are too rare conventional survey methods them. We designed and tested twelve new markers aquatic North American sturgeon. Eight general all sturgeon (i.e., not genus- species-specific), two specific Scaphirhynchus sturgeon, white (Acipenser transmontanus). marker could identify endangered species like pallid (S. albus) Alabama suttkusi) might occur. Positive detections with combined absence positive used discern if green (A. medirostris) a location. were specificity against battery 32 non-target fish common Mississippi Illinois River watersheds “sensitivity” limit detection each was determined increasingly dilute solutions DNA. Four assay 88 from Lower resulted 3 detections. While additional optimization sturgeonspecific sampling protocols advised prior use surveys, newly represent significant step forward monitoring management. PURPOSE: This technical note focuses on development (eDNA) species. Topics include design laboratory testing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based an overview good practices handling processing samples.