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Development and validation of environmental DNA assays for the detection of endangered and threatened freshwater mussels
Citation:
Waits, E., L. Smith, j. Clayton, M. McGregor, K. Patnode, M. Ashton, AND A. Bergdale. Development and validation of environmental DNA assays for the detection of endangered and threatened freshwater mussels. 2022 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, May 14 - 20, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
The eDNA assays presented herein provide an efficient and non-invasive means to inventory and monitor imperiled freshwater mussel species, and can be used to guide more localized traditional monitoring efforts.
Description:
We developed quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays for detection of North American Unionid species of conservation concern via environmental DNA (eDNA). Taqman assays were developed for the Federally endangered Northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana), Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), Dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon), and the State imperiled brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa). Primer and probe sets were tested for specificity against DNA from seventy-four Unionid species, including those that co-occur. In vitro tests consistently detected focal species at environmentally relevant concentrations. The utility of each qPCR assay was evaluated against eDNA samples collected from streams across the Mid-Atlantic United States where target species presence or absence is documented. Positive detections of target species were only observed in eDNA samples from locations with known occupancy. The eDNA assays presented herein provide an efficient and non-invasive means to inventory and monitor imperiled freshwater mussel species; and can be used to guide more localized traditional monitoring efforts.
