Exploration via eDNA
Annette Govindarajan (WHOI), Allan Adams (Oceanic Labs, WHOI), and Dana Yoerger (WHOI)
Photo by Unsplash
Overview
The ocean’s vast mesopelagic zone is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem whose inhabitants and dynamics are simultaneously poorly understood and at risk from human exploitation. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a powerful and cost-effective tool with which to explore this challenging and vulnerable ecosystem. Environmental DNA refers to the trace genetic material that animals shed via fecal pellets, gametes, sloughed cells and scales, and other mechanisms, as they move through the water. With an eye toward efficiently detecting the dilute eDNA signal in the mesopelagic, we recently developed compact large-volume multisamplers which filter water in situ. In Year 4 we will build upon our technological and scientific results from Years 2 and 3 to use eDNA to explore mesopelagic animal biodiversity. Specifically, we aim to: 1) develop and deliver additional eDNA samplers with new capabilities to permit a wider range of use cases; and 2) conduct eDNA sampling and associated analyses to test these samplers and explore biodiversity on OECI cruises.
