Inadvertent human genomic bycatch and intentional capture raise beneficial applications and ethical concerns with environmental DNA

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 7(6), С. 873 - 888

Опубликована: Май 15, 2023

The field of environmental DNA (eDNA) is advancing rapidly, yet human eDNA applications remain underutilized and underconsidered. Broader adoption analysis will produce many well-recognized benefits for pathogen surveillance, biodiversity monitoring, endangered invasive species detection, population genetics. Here we show that deep-sequencing-based approaches capture genomic information from humans (Homo sapiens) just as readily the intended target species. We term this phenomenon genetic bycatch (HGB). Additionally, high-quality could be intentionally recovered substrates (water, sand air), holding promise beneficial medical, forensic applications. However, also raises ethical dilemmas, consent, privacy surveillance to data ownership, requiring further consideration potentially novel regulation. present evidence detectable 'wildlife' samples bycatch, demonstrate identifiable can human-focused sampling discuss translational implications such findings.

Язык: Английский

---

Answers blowing in the wind: Detection of birds, mammals, and amphibians with airborne environmental DNA in a natural environment over a yearlong survey

Environmental DNA, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 5(2), С. 375 - 387

Опубликована: Янв. 20, 2023

Abstract Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) from passively collected airborne dust has demonstrated broad success for sensitive and robust detection plants. Recent experiments at small spatial scales have suggested that animals can also be detected using eDNA. However, eDNA analysis never been used a long‐term whole‐community assessment natural terrestrial community or with passive collectors. We conducted metabarcoding survey targeting vertebrate carried in the air on an approximately 130‐acre shortgrass prairie over course year. Our wide variety animal forms including amphibian species, several bird both large mammals. found signals changed known patterns activity, wind speed, rainfall. Overall, we demonstrate carries could to detect species environment minimal effort. To develop this as valuable monitoring tool, research needs focus ecology air, which includes origin, state, transport, dispersal, fate environment.

Язык: Английский

---

Systematic review of marine environmental DNA metabarcoding studies: toward best practices for data usability and accessibility

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11, С. e14993 - e14993

Опубликована: Март 24, 2023

The emerging field of environmental DNA (eDNA) research lacks universal guidelines for ensuring data produced are FAIR–findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable–despite growing awareness the importance such practices. In order to better understand these usability challenges, we systematically reviewed 60 peer articles conducting a specific subset eDNA research: metabarcoding studies in marine environments. For each article, characterized approximately 90 features across several categories: general article attributes topics, methodological choices, types metadata included, availability storage sequence data. Analyzing characteristics, identified barriers accessibility, including lack common context vocabulary articles, missing metadata, supplementary information limitations, concentration both sample collection analysis United States. While some require significant effort address, also found many instances where small choices made by authors journals could have an outsized influence on discoverability reusability Promisingly, showed consistency creativity as well strong trend toward open access publishing. Our underscores need think critically about accessibility studies, projects more broadly, continue proliferate.

Язык: Английский

---

Air-quality networks collect environmental DNA with the potential to measure biodiversity at continental scales

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 33(11), С. R426 - R428

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

---

Environmental RNA can distinguish life stages in amphibian populations

Molecular Ecology Resources, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 24(4)

Опубликована: Авг. 18, 2023

Abstract Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis methods for biomonitoring have grown exponentially over the last decade and provide a wealth new information on distribution species. However, eDNA limited application estimating population‐level metrics. Environmental RNA (eRNA) has potential to address ecological questions by gathering population demographic from media but may be challenging detect analyze. We developed gene‐specific eRNA assays targeting keratin‐associated genes in two focal species, American bullfrogs ( Lithobates catesbeianus ) tiger salamanders Ambystoma mavortium answer an important question amphibian management: whether species detections represent breeding populations versus transitory adults. performed extensive laboratory validation with amphibians housed across development stages, where we collected 95 127 samples salamanders, respectively. Both were highly specific larval stage amplified high sensitivity (90% bullfrog 88.4% salamander samples). then applied our validated multiple natural systems. When larvae present, found 74.1% overall detection field 70.8% 48.5% ponds A. macrodactylum californiense larvae, correlating rates. only adults did not larvae‐specific ponds, despite Although much work is ahead optimizing assay design, sampling filtering methods, demonstrate that can successfully used discern life stages direct ecology conservation management.

Язык: Английский

---

Environmental DNA methods for biosecurity and invasion biology in terrestrial ecosystems: Progress, pitfalls, and prospects

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 926, С. 171810 - 171810

Опубликована: Март 19, 2024

Язык: Английский

---

Continuous daily sampling of airborne eDNA detects all vertebrate species identified by camera traps

Environmental DNA, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 6(4)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Abstract Ongoing pressures on global biodiversity require conservation action that is not possible without effective biomonitoring. Terrestrial vertebrate surveys are commonly performed using camera traps, a time‐intensive method known to miss many small or arboreal species and birds. Recent advances have shown airborne eDNA be potentially suitable technique more effectively monitor communities in time‐ cost‐effective manner. Here, we test whether commercially available air samplers collect particles 24/7 during 1‐week period can used detect the presence of vertebrates through eDNA. The results compared trap records at three locations with differing habitats Netherlands. Simultaneous sampling different for 3 weeks resulted detection 154 taxa, which majority were birds mammals (113 33 species, respectively), along four fish amphibian species. All observed traps also retrieved via eDNA, although every day sampling. Burkard spore trap, routinely pollen monitoring, showed highest number only samples when mammal was detected it remained undetected We unique indicative habitat they living. However, could account for. multitude found indicate sensitivity method; however, subsequent studies should prioritize validation these findings alternative biomonitoring approaches.

Язык: Английский

---

Comparing eDNA and eRNA Sampling Methodologies From Pond Environments

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Molecular traces are increasingly being applied to assess the presence of species and communities. Studies on environmental DNA (eDNA) have, a large extent, become common practice in detection, but less studies have compared biodiversity estimations with more temporary RNA (eRNA). This study compares metabarcoding results from pond water obtained both molecule types by sequencing V4 region 18S rRNA marker. Water was collected two depths, 20 80 cm, filtered sequentially through filter porosities, 0.45 0.22 μm. Each cut half before fixation either 96% ETOH or RNAlater. The showed no differences between fixatives for molecule. Overall, estimates eDNA significantly overperformed eRNA, likely due higher concentrations terrestrial sources. Comparisons depths variation only, increasing levels found at upper layer. Both pore sizes captured distinctive compositions taxa, where about 30% diversity uniquely identified second, finer filter. Taken together, these findings imply that choice molecular marker, depth size affects pond.

Язык: Английский

---

A review of eDNA technology in avian monitoring: Current status, challenges and future perspectives

Avian Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 100235 - 100235

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

---

A review of applications of environmental DNA for reptile conservation and management

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 12(6)

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2022

Abstract Reptile populations are in decline globally, with total reptile abundance halving the past half century, and approximately a fifth of species currently threatened extinction. Research on distributions, population trends, trophic interactions can greatly improve accuracy conservation listings planning for recovery, but data deficiency is an impediment many species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) detect measure community diversity at diverse spatio‐temporal scales, especially useful detection elusive, cryptic, or rare species, making it potentially very valuable herpetology. We aim to summarize utility eDNA as tool informing management discuss benefits limitations this approach. A literature review was conducted collect all studies that used focus ecology, conservation, management. Results search summarized into key discussion points, also draws from other taxa highlight methodological challenges identify future research directions. has had limited application reptiles, relative vertebrate groups, little use regions high richness. techniques have been more successfully applied aquatic reptiles than terrestrial most (64%) focused habitats. Two four reptilian orders dominate existing (56% Testudines, 49% Squamata, 5% Crocodilia, 0% Rhynchocephalia). Our provides direction emerging ecology when be paired traditional monitoring approaches. Technologies associated rapidly advancing, become sensitive accessible, we expect will increasingly addressing knowledge gaps reptiles.

Язык: Английский

---