A blocking primer increases specificity in environmental DNA detection of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Taylor M. Wilcox; Michael K. Schwartz; Kevin S. McKelvey; Michael K. Young; Winsor H. Lowe

doi:10.1007/s12686-013-0113-4

Treesearch

A blocking primer increases specificity in environmental DNA detection of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Taylor M. Wilcox, Michael K. Schwartz, Kevin S. McKelvey, Michael K. Young, Winsor H. Lowe

Year:

2014

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-013-0113-4

Source:

Conservation Genetics Resources. 6: 283-284.

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Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly applied as a highly sensitive way to detect aquatic animals non-invasively. However, distinguishing closely related taxa can be particularly challenging. Previous studies of ancient DNA and genetic diet analysis have used blocking primers to enrich target template in the presence of abundant, non-target DNA. Here we apply a blocking primer to increase the specificity of a TaqMan assay for eDNA detection of rare and endangered bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the presence of the closely related (Salvelinus namaycush). We found that addition of a blocking primer substantially increased assay specificity without compromising sensitivity or quantification ability.

Keywords

environmental DNA, bull trout, blocking primer, complex templates

Citation

Wilcox, Taylor M.; Schwartz, Michael K.; McKelvey, Kevin S.; Young, Michael K.; Lowe, Winsor H. 2014. A blocking primer increases specificity in environmental DNA detection of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Conservation Genetics Resources. 6: 283-284.