An expert-driven framework for applying eDNA tools to improve biosecurity in the Antarctic

• DOI: 10.3391/mbi.2023.14.3.01
• Publication Date: 2023-09-05T10:21:47Z
• Authors: Laurence Clarke; Justine Shaw; Leonie Suter; Javier Atalah; Dana Bergstrom; Elisabeth Biersma; Peter Convey; Michelle Greve; Oakes Holland; Melissa Houghton; Kevin Hughes; Emma Johnston; Catherine King; Arlie McCarthy; Angela McGaughran; Luis Pertierra; Sharon Robinson; Craig Sherman; Jonathan Stark; Mark Stevens; Jan Strugnell; Ulla von Ammon; Nerida Wilson; Anastasija Zaiko; Anna MacDonald
• Keywords: Biosecurity

Signatories to the Antarctic Treaty System's Environmental Protocol are committed preventing incursions of non-native species into Antarctica, but systematic surveillance is rare.Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods provide new opportunities for enhancing detection and biosecurity monitoring.To be effective biosecurity, eDNA tests must have appropriate sensitivity specificity distinguish from native species, fit-for-purpose.This requires knowledge priority risk or taxonomic groups which will informative, validated assays those groups, reference sequences both target related species.Here, we used an expert elicitation process decision-byconsensus approach identify assess risks Australian Program (AAP) in East including identifying high their potential transport pathways.We determined that targets monitoring were not individual rather broader such as mussels (Mytilus species), tunicates (Ascidiacea), springtails (Collembola), grasses (Poaceae).These each include multiple with introduction and/or establishment Antarctica.The most AAP capable detecting a range within these high-risk (e.g., metabarcoding).We conclude beneficial applications marine nearshore environments, terrestrial invertebrates, biofouling on vessels visiting Antarctica.An urgent need exists suitable genetic markers establish baseline biodiversity stations, develop sampling organisms.