Persistence of environmental DNA in marine systems
Persistence of environmental DNA in marine systems
As environmental DNA (eDNA) becomes an increasingly valuable resource for marine ecosystem monitoring, understanding variation in its persistence across contrasting environments is critical. Here, we quantify the breakdown of macrobial eDNA over a spatio-temporal axis of locally extreme conditions, varying from ocean-influenced offshore to urban-inshore, and between winter and summer. We report that eDNA degrades 1.6 times faster in the inshore environment than the offshore environment, but contrary to expectation we find no difference over season. Analysis of environmental covariables show a spatial gradient of salinity and a temporal gradient of pH, with salinity—or the biotic correlates thereof—most important. Based on our estimated inshore eDNA half-life and naturally occurring eDNA concentrations, we estimate that eDNA may be detected for around 48 h, offering potential to collect ecological community data of high local fidelity. We conclude by placing these results in the context of previously published eDNA decay rates.
Collins, Rupert A.
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Wangensteen, Owen S.
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O’Gorman, Eoin J.
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Mariani, Stefano
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Sims, David W.
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Genner, Martin J.
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5 November 2018
Collins, Rupert A.
57855a75-6d3c-452a-8c82-50a254bda26c
Wangensteen, Owen S.
dcb32f14-5187-48dc-9e30-af79643b30f1
O’Gorman, Eoin J.
aff37779-8a30-462f-bc57-f1957f1427a7
Mariani, Stefano
99f7ad81-4ffa-4c58-ba16-62cc1cd101a6
Sims, David W.
7234b444-25e2-4bd5-8348-a1c142d0cf81
Genner, Martin J.
90547c65-c194-4c93-8ea4-b8523acef1a6
Collins, Rupert A., Wangensteen, Owen S., O’Gorman, Eoin J., Mariani, Stefano, Sims, David W. and Genner, Martin J.
(2018)
Persistence of environmental DNA in marine systems.
Communications Biology, 1 (1), [185].
(doi:10.1038/s42003-018-0192-6).
Abstract
As environmental DNA (eDNA) becomes an increasingly valuable resource for marine ecosystem monitoring, understanding variation in its persistence across contrasting environments is critical. Here, we quantify the breakdown of macrobial eDNA over a spatio-temporal axis of locally extreme conditions, varying from ocean-influenced offshore to urban-inshore, and between winter and summer. We report that eDNA degrades 1.6 times faster in the inshore environment than the offshore environment, but contrary to expectation we find no difference over season. Analysis of environmental covariables show a spatial gradient of salinity and a temporal gradient of pH, with salinity—or the biotic correlates thereof—most important. Based on our estimated inshore eDNA half-life and naturally occurring eDNA concentrations, we estimate that eDNA may be detected for around 48 h, offering potential to collect ecological community data of high local fidelity. We conclude by placing these results in the context of previously published eDNA decay rates.
Text
s42003-018-0192-6
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Accepted/In Press date: 13 October 2018
Published date: 5 November 2018
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Local EPrints ID: 430756
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/430756
PURE UUID: 3d9e4bb4-5bb2-4124-bfba-6941e719cb33
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Date deposited: 10 May 2019 16:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 01:42
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Author:
Rupert A. Collins
Author:
Owen S. Wangensteen
Author:
Eoin J. O’Gorman
Author:
Stefano Mariani
Author:
Martin J. Genner
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