Development and application of eDNA-based tools for the conservation of white-clawed crayfish
Other
Authors | Christopher R. Troth, Alfred Burian, Quentin Mauvisseau, Mark Bulling, Jen Nightingale, Christophe Mauvisseau, Michael J. Sweet and Sweet, M. |
---|---|
Abstract | eDNA-based methods represent non-invasive and cost-effective approaches for species monitoring and their application as a conservation tool has rapidly increased within the last decade. Currently, they are primarily used to determine the presence/absence of invasive, endangered or commercially important species, but they also hold potential to contribute to an improved understanding of the ecological interactions that drive species distributions. However, this next step of eDNA-based applications requires a thorough method development. We developed an eDNA assay for the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), a flagship species of conservation in the UK and Western Europe. Multiple subsequent in-situ and ex-situ validation tests aimed at improving method performance allowed us to apply eDNA-based surveys to evaluate interactions between white-clawed crayfish, crayfish plague and invasive signal crayfish. The assay performed well in terms of specificity (no detection of non-target DNA) and sensitivity, which was higher compared to traditional methods (in this case torching). The eDNA-based quantification of species biomass was, however, less reliable. Comparison of eDNA sampling methods (precipitation vs. various filtration approaches) revealed that optimal sampling method differed across environments and might depend on inhibitor concentrations. Finally, we applied our methodology together with established assays for crayfish plague and the invasive signal crayfish, demonstrating their significant interactions in a UK river system. Our analysis highlights the importance of thorough methodological development of eDNA-based assays. Only a critical evaluation of methodological strengths and weaknesses will allow us to capitalise on the full potential of eDNA-based methods and use them as decision support tools in environmental monitoring and conservation practice. |
Keywords | Environmental Engineering; Waste Management and Disposal; Pollution; Environmental Chemistry; eDNA; sampling methodology; species interactions; white-clawed crayfish |
Year | 2020 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 0048-9697 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1101/732941 |
Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.1101/732941 |
File | |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
Publication dates | 13 Aug 2019 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 14 Aug 2020, 10:58 |
Accepted | 29 Jul 2020 |
Rights | CC0 1.0 Universal |
Journal | Science of The Total Environment |
Contributors | University of Derby, University of Bristol and Fédération de Pêche et de Protection du Milieu Aquatique du Loir-et-Cher, France |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/92yw8/development-and-application-of-edna-based-tools-for-the-conservation-of-white-clawed-crayfish
Download files
86
total views29
total downloads1
views this month0
downloads this month