Dr Shaun Wilkinson1,2
1Wilderlab, Miramar, New Zealand, 2Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
Biography:
Dr. Shaun Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Wilderlab, a pioneering commercial eDNA laboratory specializing in whole-ecosystem metabarcoding.
After earning a PhD in Ecology and Biodiversity from Victoria University of Wellington, Shaun advanced his research as a Rutherford Postdoctoral Fellow, focusing on the molecular ecology of coral reefs in Timor Leste in collaboration with the TrEnD Lab at Curtin University. He continues to contribute academically as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Curtin, and actively collaborates on various research programs across New Zealand and Australia.
Shaun founded Wilderlab in 2019 with a mission to unlock the potential of eDNA to address global biodiversity challenges. Under his leadership, Wilderlab has become a significant player in the global eDNA landscape, having processed over 50,000 samples and developed innovative tools like the TICI (Taxon-Independent Community Index) for ecological health assessment.
Recognized for his contributions to creating robust and user-friendly eDNA tools, Shaun is dedicated to making these technologies accessible to diverse users, from government agencies to community groups. He is passionate about bridging the gap between science and society, fostering collaborations that empower communities to actively engage in environmental stewardship.
Abstract:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding enables comprehensive ecosystem monitoring by detecting species from across the tree of life. This approach allows for simultaneous biosecurity and biodiversity assessments, where even a small water sample can reveal the presence of both invasive and threatened species, enabling timely management interventions.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, government agencies have been proactive in adopting eDNA technology. To date, over 50,000 eDNA samples have been processed using the tree-of-life metabarcoding approach. However, the increasing number of assays and availability of reference data often presents challenges for users in interpreting extensive species lists to make prompt, effective management decisions.
To address this challenge, we developed ReDNAAS—a free, customizable eDNA alert system. ReDNAAS allows users to create tailored organism watchlists and receive automated monthly eDNA detection reports for their region of interest. Users can refine their watchlists, filtering out common taxa to avoid information overload while retaining rare and regionally significant species of biosecurity and biodiversity concern.
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, as a beta tester and project partner, has curated a ReDNAAS watchlist of 1,004 species, including invasive species, threatened endemics, and other regionally important taxa. This tool has already led to the identification and management of several previously unknown biosecurity incursions, and the discovery of new populations of nationally critical endemic species. As agency coordination and data-sharing improve, the effectiveness of these tools will be further enhanced, leading to even more positive conservation outcomes.