Improving the yield of environmental DNA from filtered aquatic samples

• Published in: Conservation genetics resources Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 49 - 51
• Main Authors: Hundermark, Emma L., Takahashi, Mizuki K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-03-2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Genetics and Genomics; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Ecology; Environmental DNA; Ethanol; Evolutionary Biology; Filters; Life Sciences; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Preservation; Technical Note; Environmental DNA; Eastern Hellbender; Filter preservation method; Bead beating
• ISSN: 1877-7252; 1877-7260
• DOI: 10.1007/s12686-018-1067-3

Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) through non-invasive sampling continues to gain popularity in the surveillance of organisms. Methodological improvement to ensure maximum DNA recovery from the samples would benefit future studies. We investigated the effects of DNA extraction methods and filter preservation methods on eDNA yield by analyzing field-collected water samples for eDNA of the Eastern Hellbender (
Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis
). We tested whether the use of bead beating during DNA extraction, which likely facilitates removal of cells trapped on filters, would increase eDNA yield. We also examined whether preservation of filters in ethanol or storage at − 20 °C before extraction would yield more eDNA. Bead beating and preservation at − 20 °C significantly increased the estimated amount of eDNA.