Dr Foyez Shams1,2, Uday Divi3, Dianne Gleeson1,2, Alejandro Trujillo-Gonzalez1,2
1Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia, 2Australian National eDNA Reference Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia, 33Biosecurity Strategy and Reform Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, Australia
Biography:
TBC
Abstract:
Trace DNA analysis captured from air samples is an emerging field with potential biosecurity applications. In recent years, airborne DNA has been utilized to investigate species diversity and richness of plants, animals, and microorganisms. In this study, we used airborne DNA collected from three approved arrangement (AA) facilities in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne to infer insect diversity within those facilities. We performed DNA metabarcoding on a total of 462 samples and identified DNA from 186 insect species across all three sites. Although the predominant insect groups were flying insects such as Diptera (Flies, Gnats, Mosquitos, and Midges) (26%), Coleoptera (Beetles) (16%), and Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) (14%), the airborne eDNA analysis was also successful in detecting crawling insects such as mites (Sarcoptiformes) millipedes (Julida), spiders (Araneae) and ants (Hymneoptera). The Simpson diversity index for Adelaide and Brisbane was 0.94, while Melbourne’s 0.93, indicating the evenness of sequences generated by the Illumina sequencing across identified species. Most frequently detected species (detection in 18-43% of samples with at least one positive detection) include Aleuroglyphus ovatus (brown-legged mite), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (a cosmopolitan mite species), Coptotermes acinaciformis (subterranean termite), Teleogryllus commodus (black field cricket), and Calliphora stygia (brown blowfly) indicating potentially high abundance of these species within the AA sites. This study provides insight into the use of airborne DNA for insect diversity assessment at AA sites and such technologies for border biosecurity; however, further investigation is necessary before using airborne eDNA for actionable biosecurity applications.