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Persistence of environmental DNA in marine systems

Collins, RA; Wangensteen Fuentes, OS; O'Gorman, EJ; Mariani, S; Sims, DW; Genner, MJ

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Authors

RA Collins

OS Wangensteen Fuentes

EJ O'Gorman

S Mariani

DW Sims

MJ Genner



Abstract

As environmental DNA (eDNA) becomes an increasingly valuable resource for marine eco-system 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.

Citation

Collins, R., Wangensteen Fuentes, O., O'Gorman, E., Mariani, S., Sims, D., & Genner, M. (2018). Persistence of environmental DNA in marine systems. Communications Biology, 1, 185. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0192-6

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 13, 2018
Online Publication Date Nov 5, 2018
Publication Date Nov 5, 2018
Deposit Date Nov 9, 2018
Publicly Available Date Nov 9, 2018
Journal Communications Biology
Print ISSN 2399-3642
Electronic ISSN 2399-3642
Publisher Nature Research
Volume 1
Pages 185
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0192-6
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0192-6
Related Public URLs https://www.nature.com/commsbio/
Additional Information Projects : SeaDNA

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