Molecular Section: eDNA Research Active

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Invasive species detection - Principal investigators: Cathy Richter and Katy Klymus

Detecting a non-native species early in its introduction into an ecosystem can increase the success of species removal efforts or improve the management of that species should it become invasive.  Such early detection requires highly sensitive detection methods, and since the seminal work of Ficetola et al. (2008) demonstrating  the use of eDNA for detection of invasive bullfrogs in Europe, eDNA has become a tool in the detection and surveillance of many other invasive species. Our lab works with biologists and wildlife managers on several projects involving invasive species detection with eDNA.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Threatened, endangered or rare species detection - Principal investigators: Cathy Richter and Katy Klymus 

Threatened, endangered or rare species detection

The non-invasive nature of eDNA methods for species detection is a great advantage for monitoring of rare, threatened, or endangered species. Many traditional methods can result in stress to the target organisms and/or alterations to their habitat. Management questions such as definition of extant range, screening for appropriate sites for reintroductions, and monitoring changes in populations following restoration efforts, can all be addressed through eDNA analysis. Our lab studies rare species including the longnose darter, topeka shiner, spectaclecase mussel, and oyster mussel. Video: Darter capture by oyster mussel

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Ecology of eDNA - Principal investigators: Cathy Richter and Katy Klymus

The ecology of eDNA is defined by Barnes and Turner (2016) as the interaction between the shed DNA of an organism and its environment. Understanding the factors that influence the origin or shedding of eDNA, the physical state of this DNA, the transport and detection of these molecules in a system and finally the degradation, decay or fate of DNA molecules will improve our ability to interpret eDNA data in the field. Our lab addresses these questions by running laboratory experiments to examine shedding and decay rates for various species. We also work in conjunction with the CERC River Studies hydrology and geomorphology group to examine the fate and detection of eDNA in various aquatic systems. 

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

eDNA Applications for environmental toxicology - Principal investigators: Cathy Richter and Katy Klymus

Pairing eDNA methods for detection of wild organisms in the field with chemical detection of pollutants, testing of toxicity in the laboratory, and new technologies such as landscape use analysis, may lead to a more complete understanding of contaminant effects on fish and wildlife communities. Analysis of eDNA can be used to detect sensitive species, to study biodiversity in the field, and to assess ecosystem function (Zhang, 2019). Monitoring fish and wildlife populations with eDNA can help improve the quality of information gained in ecotoxicology studies and move beyond the single organism scope to community wide effects. Our lab uses metabarcoding to address questions about food web structure and species presence at potentially contaminated sites, including sites near uranium mining activity in the desert southwest United States (Klymus et al. 2017).

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