Poster Details
USING ENVIRONMENTAL DNA TO PREDICT SEA LAMPREY POPULATION SIZE
The population of invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes has been successfully reduced using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), but this requires detailed knowledge of lamprey presence and population size. Collecting information using traditional techniques can be time-consuming and costly. Environmental DNA (eDNA) assessment holds promise as a cost-efficient alternative; however, environmental factors may influence eDNA concentrations in stream systems, thus reducing its capacity to generate reliable population estimates. The goal of the study was to evaluate the use of quantitative eDNA for estimating population size of an invasive lamprey species in stream ecosystems. Using data from three streams, we developed a multiple linear regression model for predicting the adult lamprey population entering streams during the spawning season. Increased streamflow corresponded to a decrease in eDNA concentrations, but the magnitude of effect of streamflow as a predictor for eDNA concentrations varied across streams. Along with previous literature, our results suggest that eDNA-based population models require an understanding of stream-specific factors leading to DNA dilution and degradation. Our recommendations for data collection and analysis will help guide future studies seeking to use eDNA for sea lamprey population prediction or IPM.
James Kitchens (Primary Presenter/Author), Warren Wilson College, kitchensjn@gmail.com;
Emily Morris (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Olivet Nazarene University, emilygmo@gmail.com;
Barbara Bennie (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, bbennie@uwlax.edu;
Douglas Baumann (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, dbaumann@uwlax.edu;
Roger Haro (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Northern Arizona University, roger.haro@nau.edu;
Richard Erickson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USGS, rerickson@usgs.gov;
Molly Van Appledorn (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, mvanappledorn@usgs.gov;
KathiJo Jankowski (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, kjankowski@usgs.gov ;