Open AccessOrganic matter reduces the amount of detectable environmental DNA in freshwater
Author(s) -
Bochove Kees,
Bakker Freek T.,
Beentjes Kevin K.,
Hemerik Lia,
Vos Rutger A.,
Gravendeel Barbara
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.6123
Subject(s) - environmental dna , gammarus pulex , biology , population , organic matter , ecology , environmental chemistry , environmental science , biodiversity , chemistry , amphipoda , demography , crustacean , sociology
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is used for monitoring the occurrence of freshwater organisms. Various studies show a relation between the amount of eDNA detected and target organism abundance, thus providing a potential proxy for reconstructing population densities. However, environmental factors such as water temperature and microbial activity are known to affect the amount of eDNA present as well. In this study, we use controlled aquarium experiments using Gammarus pulex L. (Amphipoda) to investigate the relationship between the amount of detectable eDNA through time, pH, and levels of organic material. We found eDNA to degrade faster when organic material was added to the aquarium water, but that pH had no significant effect. We infer that eDNA contained inside cells and mitochondria is extra resilient against degradation, though this may not reflect actual presence of target species. These results indicate that, although estimation of population density might be possible using eDNA, measured eDNA concentration could, in the future, be corrected for local environmental conditions in order to ensure accurate comparisons.