Developing eDNA Techniques to Detect Aquatic Invasive Species and Aquatic Species at Risk

Description

The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become an effective means for detecting the presence of different species in aquatic environments and an important tool in the management of invasive species and species-at-risk. DNA quantification technologies, such as quantitative PCR (qPCR) and microfluidics platforms, are used to detect, identify, and quantify the eDNA that is shed from the aquatic organisms into the environment. The use of eDNA to detect species in water samples can support traditional field surveys for the management and conservation of aquatic species. eDNA monitoring is especially advantageous for detecting the presence of rare and elusive species, and can provide results in real time where information on aquatic invasive species may require a rapid response from management.

This exciting new project will develop, evaluate, and optimize eDNA testing practices for over twenty aquatic invasive species as well as the Brook Floater, a freshwater mussel species at risk. Research collaborators will provide additional species of interest and vouchered specimens required for assay development and validation. Once the list of species has been established, qPCR assays will be tailored to fit with the required specificity and sensitivity to obtain efficient assays. This project will provide an innovative tool to monitor important aquatic species and will be used by the DFO and other stakeholders to more efficiently execute conservation strategies.

The project will consist of three phases:

1. Develop and validate species-specific molecular tests for over 20 potential and established aquatic invasive species as well as one species at risk (Brook Floater).
2. Develop and optimize eDNA capture methods (e.g., water sampling) for the detection of the targeted species.
3. Evaluate and compare the eDNA monitoring approaches to other traditional methods (e.g. collector plates) in terms of sensitivity, speed, and cost.

This initiative will assist in creating distribution maps for the Brook Floater. For ecologically and economically damaging invasive species, early detection will support rapid mitigation responses and help assess the effectiveness of eradication efforts. The results from this project have the potential to be applied to a wide range of fisheries operations and reduce the costs of monitoring aquatic species.

Scientific title for this project: Rapid and sensitive eDNA methods for early detection and mitigation of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and monitoring of aquatic species at risk (ASAR)

Program Name

Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI)

Years

2017 - 2019

Principal Investigators

Nellie Gagné
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf

Francis LeBlanc
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Gulf