Measuring the Gains of Pinniped and Cetacean Capture Enrichment for eDNA-based Monitoring
Abstract
The study of marine mammal populations in a natural setting is a uniquely important but challenging task. Such free-roaming organisms that must dive to great depths in search of food are not easy to track and even less so to observe. In order to monitor populations of such cryptic marine species, we propose to leverage two effective and rapidly developing genomic techniques: environmental DNAand targeted capture baits enrichment. Our objective is to develop novel CNER baits # a newly patented approach to making very inexpensive custom baits # and systematically test them in mock community experiments to refine and optimize lab protocols and algorithms for maximizing diagnostics in a natural setting. We will be focusing on two of the most charismatic marine mammal species in Monterey Bay: the humpback whale and northern elephant seal. Humpback whales are synonymous with the Monterey Bay and are known to inhabit and forage in and around coastal and open sea waters. Northern elephant seals are known to forage further into the Pacific Ocean, but also inhabit coastal waters and beaches during their breeding season. After optimizing our CNER baits assay and algorithms to successfully distinguish between our target species and other marine mammal species present in the Monterey Bay, we will refine our approach to distinguish organisms at the population and kinship levels. These tests will be compared to the state-of-the-field qPCR and metabarcoding assays in order to weigh gains in sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, cost, and results turnaround. We anticipate this project to increase uptake of tailored approaches in marine mammal monitoring. Our major outcome will be readiness to deploy baits-based monitoring of elusive and cryptic species such as Cuvier#s beaked whales. The impacts of this project on DoD capabilities will be transformative, as a new and low-cost method of marine mammal detection can bolster rapid response and reinforce conservationefforts. Approved for Public Release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412496
Entities
People
- Rachel Meyer
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, Santa Cruz