The emerging molecular techniques of environmental DNA (eDNA) offer the potential to detect the species composition of an ecosystem by means of non-invasive environmental (water) sampling. Despite the radiation of eDNA research since 2008, there are still large knowledge gaps and a need for standardized methods that must be addressed before eDNA can be utilized as a wide-spread management tool. Employing the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) as a model organism, species-specific cytochrome b primers were developed for a series of laboratory and field experiments to evaluate eDNA detection efficacy under local environmental conditions.
Results/Conclusions
The benefits of this qPCR testing protocol are: results that accurately determine environmental residence time; generation of gene sequences suitable for population genetic analysis; and decreased likelihood of false positive results from cross-amplification. This eDNA protocol is optimized for higher resolution species-specific surveys for aquatic organisms requiring time-sensitive monitoring. Potential management applications include: invasive species surveillance, evaluation of eradication efforts, monitoring the movement of populations, and environmental impact assessment surveys.