Mr Joshua Newton1,2, Professor Morten Allentoft1, Associate Professor Bill Bateman2,3, Associate Professor Paul Nevill1,2
12Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, Curtin University, Perth, Australia, 2Mine Site Biomonitoring using eDNA Research Group (MBioMe), Curtin University, Perth, Australia, 3Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, Curtin University
Biography:
Josh is a PhD candidate in the Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory at Curtin University. His PhD project focuses on the development and application of eDNA for biomonitoring of terrestrial fauna. He is passionate about improving how we apply eDNA technologies to terrestrial environments and demonstrating their benefits for conservation and management.
Abstract:
Although the overall principles for aquatic and terrestrial eDNA studies are similar, detecting terrestrial vertebrates using eDNA presents unique challenges due to heterogeneous substrates and the spatially restricted dispersal of eDNA. Therefore, when designing eDNA sampling strategies targeting terrestrial systems, what substrate is to be collected, where it should be collected from, and when sampling should occur, are all critical questions. Is there a single optimal substrate for targeting terrestrial vertebrates, or does the choice of substrate significantly influence species diversity and detection rates? We addressed this question by comparing and evaluating vertebrate species detections in different substrates across various environments, with the aim to assist in decision-making considerations for the optimal implementation of eDNA vertebrate surveys in terrestrial environments.