Assessing occupancy of amphibians using environmental DNA on Snoqualmie Pass.
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Amphibians, Environmental DNA, qPCR
Abstract
We used a molecular genetic technique, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), to assess the occupancy of species (coastal tailed frogs and Pacific giant salamanders) on Snoqualmie Pass. Traditional methods of detecting amphibians involve visual encounter surveys, trapping, or hand capturing. Detection can be challenging because amphibians are cryptic and can vary their use of habitat seasonally. Aquatic species shed DNA into the environment. Therefore, we used an environmental DNA (eDNA) approach to non-invasively detect amphibians at four sites on Snoqualmie Pass. For each site, we collected four replicate samples by filtering one liter of water for each and a distilled water control for a total of 20 samples. Then DNA was extracted and then quantitative PCR reactions conducted using species-specific primers for the mtDNA cytrochrome b gene. This technique will be a valuable tool to assess if amphibians colonize new areas as barriers are removed and crossing structures built to enhance connectivity in the Snoqualmie Pass corridor.
Recommended Citation
Richbourg, Sara; Reavill, David; and Fergus, Craig, "Assessing occupancy of amphibians using environmental DNA on Snoqualmie Pass." (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 47.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/47
Poster Number
30
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Assessing occupancy of amphibians using environmental DNA on Snoqualmie Pass.
SURC Ballroom C/D
We used a molecular genetic technique, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), to assess the occupancy of species (coastal tailed frogs and Pacific giant salamanders) on Snoqualmie Pass. Traditional methods of detecting amphibians involve visual encounter surveys, trapping, or hand capturing. Detection can be challenging because amphibians are cryptic and can vary their use of habitat seasonally. Aquatic species shed DNA into the environment. Therefore, we used an environmental DNA (eDNA) approach to non-invasively detect amphibians at four sites on Snoqualmie Pass. For each site, we collected four replicate samples by filtering one liter of water for each and a distilled water control for a total of 20 samples. Then DNA was extracted and then quantitative PCR reactions conducted using species-specific primers for the mtDNA cytrochrome b gene. This technique will be a valuable tool to assess if amphibians colonize new areas as barriers are removed and crossing structures built to enhance connectivity in the Snoqualmie Pass corridor.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Wagner, Steve; Goldberg, Caren