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. 2011;6(8):e23398.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023398. Epub 2011 Aug 8.

Persistence of environmental DNA in freshwater ecosystems

Tony Dejean  1 , Alice Valentini, Antoine Duparc, Stéphanie Pellier-Cuit, François Pompanon, Pierre Taberlet, Claude Miaud
Affiliations

Persistence of environmental DNA in freshwater ecosystems

Tony Dejean et al. PLoS One. 2011.

Abstract

The precise knowledge of species distribution is a key step in conservation biology. However, species detection can be extremely difficult in many environments, specific life stages and in populations at very low density. The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge on DNA persistence in water in order to confirm the presence of the focus species in freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic vertebrates (fish: Siberian sturgeon and amphibian: Bullfrog tadpoles) were used as target species. In control conditions (tanks) and in the field (ponds), the DNA detectability decreases with time after the removal of the species source of DNA. DNA was detectable for less than one month in both conditions. The density of individuals also influences the dynamics of DNA detectability in water samples. The dynamics of detectability reflects the persistence of DNA fragments in freshwater ecosystems. The short time persistence of detectable amounts of DNA opens perspectives in conservation biology, by allowing access to the presence or absence of species e.g. rare, secretive, potentially invasive, or at low density. This knowledge of DNA persistence will greatly influence planning of biodiversity inventories and biosecurity surveys.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts: Two authors (Tony Dejean and Alive Valentini) are working for a private company (SPYGEN) but this does not alter the adherence of all authors to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. DNA detectability in water according to time.
DNA detectability in water in control conditions (a) and in natural conditions (b) according to the time elapsed since the DNA source removal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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