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- Title
Where is the body? Dreissenid mussels, raw water testing, and the real value of environmental DNA.
- Authors
Hosler, Denise M.
- Abstract
The Bureau of Reclamation has been monitoring the waters in the western U.S. since 2006 for the presence of dreissenid mussels. Currently, Reclamation has evaluated over 17,000 raw water samples representing over 400 western water bodies. This data includes water bodies where mussels had invaded and control methods were being tested. Primarily however, the program tested western waters for the purposes of tracking the dreissenid mussel invasion. Utilizing the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) program for zebra mussel detection, Reclamation developed a protocol for raw water testing for determination of dreissenid mussel presence in western waters that included microscopy and DNA testing. The results of testing clashed with definitions, and triggered concerns for costly false positives that round robin testing did not substantiate. During that time, a clear understanding of the conflicting test results was not available for the stakeholders and partners participating in the mussel detection program. The large body of data revealed some unique information on the invasion of mussels in the western US; from the way samples were collected and preserved, to the slower than anticipated spread. The Reclamation Detection Laboratory for Exotic Species (RDLES) conducted research looking more closely at the science involved in the detection of invasive mussels in raw water plankton tow net samples. As research revealed information about the lack of microscopic findings, the value of environmental DNA (eDNA) findings for invasive species and mission essential projects became apparent. This article will present an overview of the Reclamation invasive mussel program detection, monitoring, and briefing on some control research activities. RDLES research developments have far-reaching applications for future management activities and decisions with many lessons learned about planktonic sampling from this large body of data and the related discovery of benefits of eDNA testing for numerous species of concern.
- Subjects
QUAGGA mussel; DNA analysis; SPECIES distribution; SPECIES diversity; UNITED States. Bureau of Reclamation
- Publication
Management of Biological Invasions, 2017, Vol 8, Issue 3, p335
- ISSN
1989-8649
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3391/mbi.2017.8.3.07