10.5061/DRYAD.N60T8B3
Plough, Louis V.
University of Maryland, College Park
Ogburn, Matthew B.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Marafino, Gabriella A.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Richie, Kimberly D.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Fitzgerald, Catherine L.
University of Maryland, College Park
Geranio, Rose
University of Maryland, College Park
Data from: Environmental DNA analysis of river herring in Chesapeake Bay:
a powerful tool for monitoring threatened keystone species
Dryad
dataset
2018
anadramous
Alewife
blueback herring
Alosa aestivalis
qPCR
2018-11-06T14:25:23Z
2018-11-06T14:25:23Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205578
167100 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling has emerged as a powerful tool to detect
and quantify species abundance in aquatic environments. However,
relatively few studies have compared the performance of eDNA-based
abundance estimates to traditional catch or survey approaches in the
field. Here, we have developed and field-tested a qPCR assay to detect
eDNA from alewife and blueback herring (collectively known as ‘river
herring’), comparing eDNA-based presence and abundance data to traditional
methods of quantification (ichthyoplankton sampling and adult
observations). Overall, the qPCR assay showed very high target specificity
in lab trials, and was successful in detecting river herring for 11/12
Chesapeake Bay tributaries in spring 2015 and 2016, with 106 out of 445
samples exhibiting positive eDNA hits. We found a strong correlation
between eDNA abundance and ichthyoplankton count data (Spearman’s Rho =
0.52), and Phi-tests (correlation of presence/absence data) showed higher
correlation between eDNA and ichthyoplankton data (Phi = 0.45) than adult
data (Phi = 0.35). Detection probability was significantly lower on
western vs. eastern shore tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, and blueback
herring and alewife were more likely detected on the western and eastern
shores, respectively. Temporal patterns of eDNA abundance over the spring
spawning season revealed that alewife were present in high abundances
weeks ahead of blueback herring, which aligns with known differences in
spawning behavior of the species. In summary, the eDNA abundance data
corresponded well to other field methods and has great potential to assist
future monitoring efforts of river herring abundance and habitat use.
River herring eDNA and field abundance data from Plough et aleDNA and
Field abundance Data 2015-2016.csv
Chesapeake Bay