National eDNA-based monitoring of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and amphibian species in Norway

Abstract

Freshwaters represent the most threatened environments with regard to biodiversity loss and, therefore, there is a need for national monitoring programs to effectively document species distribution and evaluate potential risks for vulnerable species. The monitoring of species for effective management practices is, however, challenged by insufficient data acquisition when using traditional methods. Here we present the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of amphibians in combination with quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays for an invasive pathogenic chytrid species (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis -Bd), a potential threat to endemic and endangered amphibian species. Statistical comparison of amphibian species detection using either traditional or eDNA-based approaches showed weak correspondence. By tracking the distribution of Bd over three years, we concluded that the risk for amphibian extinction is low since Bd was only detected at five sites where multiple amphibians were present over the sampled years. Our results show that eDNA-based detection can be used for simultaneous monitoring of amphibian diversity and the presence of amphibian pathogens at the national level in order to assess potential species extinction risks and establish effective management practices. As such our study represents suggestions for a national monitoring program based on eDNA.

Major Emerging Fungal Diseases of Reptiles and Amphibians

“…Cytological examination of skin scrapping or histological examination of skin tissues are also possible, but are less sensitive than PCR [ 75 ]. Surveillance in wildlife can be achieved using PCR on environmental DNA (eDNA) [ 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. Multiple treatment regimens have been described in captivity, including treating water with chloramphenicol malachite green or methylene blue [ 81 ], altering the skin microbiota by using probiotics [ 82 , 83 , 84 ], or increasing the environmental temperature [ 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 ].…”