Development of a novel approach for sampling burrowing crayfish utilizing environmental DNA in the crayfish burrows’ chimney structure
Abstract
Freshwater crayfish are important invertebrates that mediate detritus processing and nutrient cycling within freshwater habitats. We have been conducting molecular phylogeny research that examines the local extent and habitat boundaries of Cambarus truncatus, a rare species of burrowing crayfish in the Oconee River Basin, which is thought to be threatened. To analyze genetic structure of C. truncatus subpopulations, individual specimen must be collected for DNA extraction. The conventional sampling method requires extensive excavation down to their burrows, which is labor intensive and not conducive to large sample size. The goal of our project was to develop and validate a novel, eco-friendly way to collect DNA using the “chimney” soil produced by the crayfishes at their burrows based on preliminary data from a pilot study. At this time we have been unable to successfully isolate DNA from burrows using our methods but believe that focusing future studies on the collection of crayfish feces or soil exclusively from the inner mouth of the burrow could yield DNA for sampling.
Session Name:
Poster Presentation Session #2 - Poster #50
Start Date
10-4-2015 12:15 PM
End Date
10-4-2015 1:00 PM
Location
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Development of a novel approach for sampling burrowing crayfish utilizing environmental DNA in the crayfish burrows’ chimney structure
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Freshwater crayfish are important invertebrates that mediate detritus processing and nutrient cycling within freshwater habitats. We have been conducting molecular phylogeny research that examines the local extent and habitat boundaries of Cambarus truncatus, a rare species of burrowing crayfish in the Oconee River Basin, which is thought to be threatened. To analyze genetic structure of C. truncatus subpopulations, individual specimen must be collected for DNA extraction. The conventional sampling method requires extensive excavation down to their burrows, which is labor intensive and not conducive to large sample size. The goal of our project was to develop and validate a novel, eco-friendly way to collect DNA using the “chimney” soil produced by the crayfishes at their burrows based on preliminary data from a pilot study. At this time we have been unable to successfully isolate DNA from burrows using our methods but believe that focusing future studies on the collection of crayfish feces or soil exclusively from the inner mouth of the burrow could yield DNA for sampling.