Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to share with you our publication describing an innovative methodology for monitoring the distribution of marine mammals and their preys by means of environmental DNA analysis, using ferries as sampling platforms:
Elena Valsecchi, Antonella Arcangeli, Roberto Lombardi, Elizabeth Boyse, Ian M Carr, Paolo Galli, Simon J Goodman (2021) "Ferries and environmental DNA: underway sampling from commercial vessels provides new opportunities for systematic genetic surveys of marine biodiversity", Front. Mar. Sci., 27 August 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.704786 Abstract Marine environmental DNA (eDNA) is an important tool for biodiversity research and monitoring but challenges remain in scaling surveys over large spatial areas, and increasing the frequency of sampling in remote locations at reasonable cost. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of sampling from commercial vessels (Mediterranean ferries) while underway, as a strategy to facilitate replicable, systematic marine eDNA surveys in locations that would normally be challenging and expensive for researchers to access. Sixteen eDNA samples were collected from four fixed sampling stations, and in response to four cetacean sightings, across three cruises undertaken along the 300 km ferry route between Livorno (Tuscany) and Golfo Aranci (Sardinia) in the Ligurian/Tyrrhenian Seas, June-July 2018. Using 12SrDNA and 16SrDNA metabarcoding markers, we recovered diverse marine vertebrate Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) from teleost fish, elasmobranchs, and cetaceans. We detected sample heterogeneity consistent with previously known variation in species occurrences, including putative species spawning peaks associated with specific sea surface temperature ranges, and increased night time abundance of bathypelagic species known to undertake diel migrations through the water column. We suggest commercial vessel based marine eDNA sampling using the global shipping network has potential to facilitate broad-scale biodiversity monitoring in the world’s oceans. You can find the open-access article at this link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.704786/full We hope you enjoy it! Elena Valsecchi, PhD *Marine eDNA Group, MaRHE Center (http://www.marhe.unimib.it/ <http://www.marhe.unimib.it/>)* *Adjunct Professor of Marine Vertebrate Zoology (http://www.marinesciences.unimib.it/ <http://www.marinesciences.unimib.it/>)* *Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences (**https://www.disat.unimib.it/en <https://www.disat.unimib.it/en>**), * *University of Milano-Bicocca. **Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy* *elena.valsec...@unimib.it <elena.valsec...@unimib.it>*
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