Calibrating e-DNA Methodology: An Asian Carp Genetic Surveillance Tool in the Chicago Area Waterway System

Environmental DNA is a surveillance tool used to detect the genetic presence of bighead or silver carp in the Chicago Area Waterways System.  This technology was first employed in 2009 and its use is expected to continue as a sensitive tool to detect Asian carp environmental DNA (eDNA), and as an indicator of potential carp presence, as outlined in the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee Monitoring and Rapid Response Plan.  There are still many unknowns about what a positive eDNA result means.  To calibrate and refine this methodology, a federal interagency team has undertaken a calibration study to clarify issues such as alternate viable sources (vectors) of eDNA, determine the influence of environmental variables on eDNA stability and detection, investigate measures to make collection and processing more efficient, and begin to understand how many fish are contributing to an eDNA positive sample.  Here, we discuss the planned experimental design of this effort, and share preliminary results from our Vectors work.  We expect interim products to be integrated into the current eDNA sampling design of the Monitoring and Rapid Response Plan.