Detection of Adult Green Sturgeon Using Environmental DNA Analysis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153500
• Publication Date: 2016-04-20T13:30:42Z
• Authors: Paul S. Bergman; Gregg Schumer; Scott Blankenship; Elizabeth Campbell
• Keywords: Environmental DNA; Lake sturgeon

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging sampling method that has been used successfully for detection of rare aquatic species. The Identification tools are less stressful target organisms become increasingly important and endangered A decline in abundance the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) North American Green Sturgeon located California's Central Valley led to its listing as Threatened under Federal Endangered Species Act 2006. While visual surveys spawning effective at monitoring fish densities concentrated pool habitats, results do not scale well watershed level, providing limited spatial temporal context. Unlike most traditional survey methods, environmental analysis provides a relatively quick, inexpensive tool could efficiently monitor presence distribution We positively identified two locations known Sacramento River, proving eDNA can be adult sturgeon. further study needed understand uncertainties method, our represents first documented eDNA, indicating provide new Valley, complimenting on-going methods.