杏吧直播

New species-specific tests that can detect endangered and hard-to-find aquatic animals through the DNA they shed in the water has been created by researchers at the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide and Curtin 杏吧直播.

The tests, which are developed by sequencing the mitochondrial genome of an individual species and rely on environmental DNA in the water (termed eDNA), were used to detect the Blind Cave Eel (Ophisternon candidum) in the Pilbara, Western 杏吧直播, at eight separate locations; three sites where it has previously been physically detected and, more significantly, at five sites from which the species has never been recorded.

鈥淭here is a real need to develop non-invasive methods and knowledge that will increase the speed and scientific rigour of biological surveys for Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approvals when assessing the potential for environmental disturbance,鈥� Dr Michelle Guzik

The Blind Cave Eel is the largest of three cavefish species known from 杏吧直播, growing up to 40cm long. It exists entirely in subterranean groundwater systems of the northern Carnarvon Basin and the Robe River catchment in north-western 杏吧直播.

It lacks eyes, has unpigmented skin and is notoriously difficult to locate during environmental surveys. It is listed as a vulnerable species.

Researcher Dr Michelle Guzik, from the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide鈥檚 School of Biological Sciences and Environment Institute, said the eel could avoid capture using traditional sampling methods, which can bias the results from field surveys.

鈥淭here is a real need to develop non-invasive methods and knowledge that will increase the speed and scientific rigour of biological surveys for Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approvals when assessing the potential for environmental disturbance,鈥� she said.

鈥淲e aim to broaden our eDNA approach and methodology for future inclusion into EPA guidelines.鈥�
Dr Nicole White, from the Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory at Curtin 杏吧直播鈥檚 School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the new species-specific test meant the Blind Cave Eel could be detected without the need to physically catch the animal.听

鈥淒etection of rare or cryptic species in their environment can be challenging at the best of times and our results show eDNA can offer conservation agencies an additional monitoring tool to augment existing approaches.鈥�

The research was co-authored with the Western 杏吧直播n Museum and funded by the 杏吧直播n Research Council alongside industry partners Rio Tinto, South 杏吧直播n Museum, Western 杏吧直播n Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Conservation and Attractions, Bennelongia Pty Ltd, Biota Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd, BHP, Western 杏吧直播n Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI)) the results of which have just been published in the journal .
听