Planning for a pilot global eDNA marine collection and analysis program (GEMCAP)
Abstract
Approved for Public ReleaseThe analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) is emerging as a powerful tool for understanding marine ecosystems and detecting difficult-to-observe marine species. The opportunistic collection of eDNA from oceanographic research vessels provides an opportunity to greatly expand our knowledge of the distribution of protected marine mammals, sea turtles, and other key taxa. This project convenes a working group of experts in shipboard marine operations, eDNA sampling, molecular biology, and marine mammal genetics to design and carry out a pilot to identify the best implementation strategy for opportunistic sampling onboard vessels in the UNOLS fleet. The working group will be divided into task groups assessing procedures for eDNA collection, extraction, sequencing, analysis, and archiving. Task group findings will be incorporated into a protocol for the pilot study which will be executed by marine technicians onboard a UNOLS coastal class vessel. Multiple methods are available for most steps in the eDNA collection and analysis pipeline. The working group will make recommendations based on available data, however, in some cases more data may berequired to select or optimize the best method. An option is included for a cross-calibration study following the pilot to identify the best methods for key steps in the eDNA collection and analysis pipeline. At the end of the project period the working group will produce a report on the methods used in the pilot and recommendations for scaling to additional vessels in the UNOLS fleet.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112651
Entities
People
- Jeff Bowman
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, San Diego