Abstracts

Presented by Catherine E. Benson - Email: bensonc5@erau.edu

All organisms, from bacteria to humans, leave a genetic fingerprint in their environment, and recent advances in environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses are allowing scientists to detect these signals in samples of air, water, and soil. One such analysis, eDNA metabarcoding, can be used to target the DNA of entire taxonomic groups for species-level identification. Over the past year, we designed a 16S rRNA metabarcoding protocol that targets vertebrate species. Pilot studies conducted in Arizonas Verde River resulted in eDNA detections of species from all vertebrate groups, including a number of waterbirds. Given these results, we sought to determine if this technique could identify members of a more complex assemblage of waterbirds. During November 2018, we conducted traditional waterbird surveys and collected water samples for eDNA analysis at the Watson and Willow Lakes Important Bird Area, a waterfowl and shorebird concentration site in Prescott, Arizona. Traditional surveys consisted of a two-hour point count conducted by four teams at four points along the shoreline. Water samples for eDNA analysis were collected in triplicate at eight sites spanning littoral and limnetic lake zones. Traditional surveys resulted in the detection of 26 waterbird and wetland-associated species, of which, 16 were also detected using eDNA analysis. eDNA detections included 12 species of waterfowl, and the American Coot Fulica americana, Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps, Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias, Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus, and Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus. One species, the Wood Duck Aix sponsa, was detected only by eDNA. Based on these results, we believe that eDNA metabarcoding is a valuable tool with applications for monitoring waterbirds in aquatic ecosystems.