Measuring biodiversity from DNA in the air

Abstract

In briefEnvironmental (e)DNA is shed by all species and can be collected to monitor biodiversity-revolutionizing research, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Clare et al. collect vertebrate eDNA from the air to identify terrestrial diversity and predation. Airborne eDNA was recovered hundreds of meters from sources, indicating that populations may be monitored at a distance, significantly advancing terrestrial ecology.

Airborne environmental DNA for terrestrial vertebrate community monitoring

“…The 49 detected species included zoo animals, locally occurring animals, and animals used as feed at the zoo. The ability to detect this range of vertebrates through airborne eDNA is supported by Clare et al 19 We found an increased probability of detecting airborne eDNA from animals present in high biomass and within a shorter geographical distance to an air sampler. A similar observation regarding distance was made in a study carried out at Hamerton Zoo Park, UK, where airborne eDNA was found to be concentrated around areas recently inhabited by zoo animals.…”

“…The ability to detect this range of vertebrates through airborne eDNA is supported by Clare et al. 19 …”

“…Detection of locally occurring animals has also been documented in other studies on airborne eDNA. 19,33 This further highlights the potential of airborne eDNA for detection of wildlife. In addition, we detected fish (i.e., roach, smelt, and salmon) that are used as feed to various zoo animals on a daily basis.…”

“…A similar observation regarding distance was made in a study carried out at Hamerton Zoo Park, UK, where airborne eDNA was found to be concentrated around areas recently inhabited by zoo animals. 19 Accordingly, in the samples that we collected at the outdoor sampling location in the southern part of the zoo, we only detected one species located in the northern section, namely the eastern gray kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus ). However, in addition to distance, wind direction can have played a role.…”

Bat selfies: photographic surveys of flying bats

“…For example, capture-based surveys are central to understanding the role bats could play in epidemiology (Streicker and Gilbert 2020 ). Furthermore, many cryptic bat species are difficult to identify conclusively whether in a photograph or in the hand, and may require molecular methods for confident identification (e.g., Francis et al 2010 ; Clare et al 2011 ), although novel approaches may allow collection of DNA material such as from air in a roost without handling bats (Clare et al 2022 ). Neither acoustic nor photographic surveys alone can provide reliable information on population sizes or demographics, which may require additional methods such as mark-recapture studies.…”