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Challenges and progress in making DNA-based monitoring operational AIS early detection as testbed
Citation:
Trebitz, A., J. Hoffman, Greg Peterson, E. Pilgrim, J. Martinson, J. Lietz, C. Hatzenbuhler, S. Okum, Y. Zhang, AND C. Meredith. Challenges and progress in making DNA-based monitoring operational AIS early detection as testbed. International Association for Great Lakes Research, Guelph, ON, CANADA, June 06 - 10, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
not applicable
Description:
The ability of DNA barcoding to find additional species in hard-to-sample locations or hard-to-identify samples is well established. Nevertheless, adoption of DNA barcoding into regular monitoring programs has been slow, in part due to issues of standardization and interpretation that need resolving. In this presentation, we describe our progress towards incorporating DNA-based identification into broad-spectrum aquatic invasive species early-detection monitoring in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Our work uses community biodiversity information as the basis for evaluating survey performance for various taxonomic groups. Issues we are tackling in bringing DNA-based data to bear on AIS monitoring design include: 1) Standardizing methodology and work flow from field collection and sample handling through bioinformatics post-processing; 2) Determining detection sensitivity and accounting for inter-species differences in DNA amplification and primer affinity; 3) Differentiating sequencing and barcoding errors from legitimate new finds when range and natural history information is limited; and 4) Accounting for the different nature of morphology- vs. DNA-based biodiversity information in subsequent analysis (e.g., via species accumulation curves, multi-metric indices).