Environmental DNA (eDNA) is organismal DNA that can be found in the environment. Environmental DNA originates from cellular material shed by organisms (via skin, excrement, etc.) into aquatic or terrestrial environments that can be sampled and monitored using new molecular methods. Such methodology is important for the early detection of invasive species as well as the detection of rare and cryptic species.
This project uses eDNA methods to determine whether the presence of brown treesnakes can be detected from soil samples. Thus far, eDNA methods have focused on aquatic habitats detecting DNA in water samples. The ability to amplify DNA from soil samples would allow greater geographic utility of these methods, and would be logistically preferable because water samples require extensive filtering, cold storage in the field, and high shipping costs for large volumes of water. Further, eDNA from soil could be a useful tool for early detection and rapid response activities for species such as brown treesnakes that rarely use aquatic habitats and which threaten to colonize previously snake-free islands.
- Overview
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is organismal DNA that can be found in the environment. Environmental DNA originates from cellular material shed by organisms (via skin, excrement, etc.) into aquatic or terrestrial environments that can be sampled and monitored using new molecular methods. Such methodology is important for the early detection of invasive species as well as the detection of rare and cryptic species.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.A brown treesnake crawls on some frangipangi blossoms in Guam. This project uses eDNA methods to determine whether the presence of brown treesnakes can be detected from soil samples. Thus far, eDNA methods have focused on aquatic habitats detecting DNA in water samples. The ability to amplify DNA from soil samples would allow greater geographic utility of these methods, and would be logistically preferable because water samples require extensive filtering, cold storage in the field, and high shipping costs for large volumes of water. Further, eDNA from soil could be a useful tool for early detection and rapid response activities for species such as brown treesnakes that rarely use aquatic habitats and which threaten to colonize previously snake-free islands.