Monitoring, management and conservation of rare and elusive species often requires early detection of individuals, especially for re-introduced and endangered taxa. Environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches can enhance the detec- tion power of traditional biomonitoring methods for low-density, newly-established populations. In this study, we used species-specific Real Time PCR TaqMan assays to assess the presence of two endangered freshwater species, the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes and the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra at eight sites in four river catchments in Liguria (northwestern Italy). The Eurasian otter was considered extinct in the study area since the 1980s. However, recent, although scattered sightings indicated a recolonisation by a few individuals. The white- clawed crayfish populations declined drastically and became increasingly dispersed in the western part of Liguria. Our eDNA analysis confirmed the presence of both species in some of the selected rivers and detected Eurasian otter DNA where the species was not recorded through traditional monitoring methods. This study confirms eDNA- based monitoring approaches as valuable tools to assess the presence of rare and elusive species and help implement protection plans at a local scale.
Early detection of rare and elusive endangered species using environmental DNA: a case study for the Eurasian otter and the white-clawed crayfish in northwestern Italy / Ballini, Lorenzo; Ottonello, Dario; Repetto, Valentina; Natali, Chiara; Chini, Giacomo; Tolve, Livia; Ciofi, Claudio; Fratini, Sara; Iannucci, Alessio. - In: CONSERVATION GENETICS. - ISSN 1566-0621. - STAMPA. - -:(2024), pp. -.0--.0. [10.1007/s10592-024-01619-5]
Early detection of rare and elusive endangered species using environmental DNA: a case study for the Eurasian otter and the white-clawed crayfish in northwestern Italy
Ballini, LorenzoWriting – Original Draft Preparation
;Natali, ChiaraMethodology
;Chini, GiacomoMembro del Collaboration Group
;Tolve, LiviaMembro del Collaboration Group
;Ciofi, ClaudioWriting – Review & Editing
;Fratini, Sara
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Iannucci, AlessioWriting – Original Draft Preparation
2024
Abstract
Monitoring, management and conservation of rare and elusive species often requires early detection of individuals, especially for re-introduced and endangered taxa. Environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches can enhance the detec- tion power of traditional biomonitoring methods for low-density, newly-established populations. In this study, we used species-specific Real Time PCR TaqMan assays to assess the presence of two endangered freshwater species, the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes and the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra at eight sites in four river catchments in Liguria (northwestern Italy). The Eurasian otter was considered extinct in the study area since the 1980s. However, recent, although scattered sightings indicated a recolonisation by a few individuals. The white- clawed crayfish populations declined drastically and became increasingly dispersed in the western part of Liguria. Our eDNA analysis confirmed the presence of both species in some of the selected rivers and detected Eurasian otter DNA where the species was not recorded through traditional monitoring methods. This study confirms eDNA- based monitoring approaches as valuable tools to assess the presence of rare and elusive species and help implement protection plans at a local scale.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Ballini et al Conservation genetics 2024.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipologia:
Pdf editoriale (Version of record)
Licenza:
Open Access
Dimensione
1.37 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
1.37 MB | Adobe PDF |
I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.