Oliver, J-C, Shum, P, Mariani, S, Sink, KJ, Palmer, R and Matcher, GF (2024) Enhancing African coelacanth monitoring using environmental DNA. Biology Letters, 20 (10). ISSN 1744-9561

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Abstract

Coelacanths are rare, elusive, ancient lobe-finned fish species, residing in poorly accessible tropical marine caves and requiring close monitoring and protection. Environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches are being increasingly applied in the detection of rare and threatened species. Here we devise an eDNA approach to detect the presence of African coelacanths (Latimeria chalumnae) off the eastern coast of South Africa. Novel coelacanth-specific primers were designed to avoid cross-amplification with other fish lineages and validated for specificity. These primers were tested on field samples in conjunction with remotely operated vehicle (ROV) visual surveys. Samples were collected from a known coelacanth habitat and two adjacent slope habitats a few kilometres apart. Coelacanth DNA was detected from three of 15 samples collected. Two of these positive eDNA detections occurred in the presence of coelacanths, as evidenced by ROV footage, while the third positive detection was at a station where coelacanths had not been previously observed. eDNA detections are discussed in relation to the species’ metabolic rate, movement patterns and population size, as well as the local oceanographic features. We demonstrate that eDNA can provide a non-invasive method to extend the knowledge of coelacanth distribution ranges and boost research efforts around these iconic fishes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	coelacanth; DNA monitoring; eDNA; management; marine biodiversity; South Africa; eDNA; coelacanth; marine biodiversity; DNA monitoring; management; South Africa; Animals; Fishes; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; South Africa; Endangered Species; DNA, Environmental; DNA monitoring; South Africa; coelacanth; eDNA; management; marine biodiversity; Animals; South Africa; DNA, Environmental; Fishes; Environmental Monitoring; Endangered Species; Ecosystem; 06 Biological Sciences; Evolutionary Biology
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	The Royal Society
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	06 Nov 2024 11:23
Last Modified:	06 Nov 2024 11:30
DOI or ID number:	10.1098/rsbl.2024.0415
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/24685

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