The detection of great crested newts year round via environmental DNA analysis

Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a method that has been used for the detection of various species within water bodies. The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) has a short eDNA survey season (mid-April to June). Here we investigate whether this season could be extended into other months us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC research notes 2017-07, Vol.10 (1), p.327-327, Article 327
Main Authors: Rees, Helen C, Baker, Claire A, Gardner, David S, Maddison, Ben C, Gough, Kevin C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA - analysis
DNA sequencing
Ecologists
England
Environment
Environmental DNA
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
Genetic aspects
Great crested newt
Great crested newts
Methods
Pond
Ponds
Reptiles & amphibians
Research Note
Sampling season
Seasons
Statistical analysis
Surveillance
Survey
Triturus - genetics
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Summary:Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a method that has been used for the detection of various species within water bodies. The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) has a short eDNA survey season (mid-April to June). Here we investigate whether this season could be extended into other months using the current methodology as stipulated by Natural England. Here we present data to show that in monthly water samples taken from two ponds (March 2014-February 2015) we were able to detect great crested newt DNA in all months in at least one of the ponds. Similar levels of great crested newt eDNA (i.e. highly positive identification) were detected through the months of March-August, suggesting it may be possible to extend the current survey window. In order to determine how applicable these observations are for ponds throughout the rest of the UK, further work in multiple other ponds over multiple seasons is suggested. Nevertheless, the current work clearly demonstrates, in two ponds, the efficacy and reproducibility of eDNA detection for determining the presence of great crested newts.
ISSN:1756-0500
1756-0500
DOI:10.1186/s13104-017-2657-y