Defending Antarctica from invasion: Developing a framework for eDNA biosecurity surveillance in Antarctica

Dana Bergstrom¹, Dr Laurence Clarke¹, Catherine King¹, Dr Anna MacDonald¹, Dr Leonie Suter¹

¹Australian Antarctic Division, ,

Human activities in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic introduce biosecurity risks, and Antarctic species and ecosystems may be particularly vulnerable to disturbance or competition with non-native species. As a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, Australia has an obligation to prevent incursions of non-native species into Antarctica.

This project will develop a framework to outline how eDNA and related tools can be best used to detect and monitor non-native species in the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Through a comprehensive review of the literature and stakeholder and expert consultation, we have identified the highest priority species, ecosystems, and transport pathways for biosecurity monitoring. From this list, priority species will be selected as candidates for eDNA assay development for future implementation of eDNA biosecurity monitoring, enabling early detection of non-native species incursions.

We are now reviewing the most appropriate eDNA tools and resources for Antarctic species and environments, including eDNA technologies, sampling, and analysis strategies, to place existing knowledge of eDNA tools in an Antarctic context. This will include identifying knowledge gaps for future development and validation of genetic markers and resources: for example, incomplete DNA reference databases are a known limitation for many Antarctic and Southern Ocean taxa.

This project will be integrated with existing Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) initiatives in eDNA and biosecurity. The framework developed will facilitate establishing future eDNA surveillance programs to detect biosecurity risks from non-native species throughout the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Biography:

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