Using in-situ environmental DNA sampling to detect the invasive New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in freshwaters

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of aquatic invasive species is currently at the forefront of aquatic conservation efforts because the methodology provides a cost effective and sensitive means to detect animals at low densities. Developments in eDNA technologies have improved detection probabilities for rare, indicator, and invasive species over the past decade. However, standard lab analysis can take days or weeks before results are available and is prohibitive when rapid management decisions are required for mitigation. Here, we investigated the performance of a real-time quantitative PCR system for on-site eDNA detection of New Zealand mud snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Six sites in western Washington, USA were sampled using the rapid eDNA technique and traditional methods, with five samples per site. On-site eDNA detection of mud snails resulted in a 10% increase in positive sites (16/30 = 53% positive) relative to visual surveys (13/30 = 43% positive). In addition, positive associations were observed between mud snail eDNA concentration (eDNA copies per reaction) and the number of mud snail individuals at each site (R2 = 0.78). We show that the rapid on-site eDNA technology can be effective for detection and quantification of New Zealand mud snails in freshwaters. This on-site eDNA detection approach could possibly be used to initiate management protocols that allow for more rapid responses during the onset of biological invasions.

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Matching a snail’s pace: Successful use of environmental DNA techniques to detect early stages of invasion by the destructive New Zealand mud snail

10.1101/2020.08.12.248948 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

James D. Woodell ◽

Maurine Neiman ◽

Edward P. Levri

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Low Cost ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Invasive Population ◽

Effective Response ◽

Mud Snail ◽

Species Specific ◽

New Zealand Mud Snail ◽

And Control

ABSTRACTEarly detection of invasive species allows for a more rapid and effective response. Restoration of the native ecosystem after an invasive population has established is expensive and difficult but more likely to succeed when invasions are detected early in the invasion process. Containment efforts to prevent the spread of known invasions also benefit from earlier knowledge of invaded sites. Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques have emerged as a tool that can identify invasive species at a distinctly earlier time point than traditional methods of detection. Due to expected range expansion in eastern North America, we focus on the destructive New Zealand Mud Snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (NZMS) invasion. We collected water samples from eight sites that prior evidence indicated were not yet invaded by the NZMS. After filtering these samples to collect eDNA, we used a species-specific probe with qPCR to identify NZMS eDNA. We found evidence for NZMS invasion at five of the eight sites, with later physical confirmation of mud snails at one of these sites. This study is the first example of successful detection of a previously unidentified invasive population of NZMS, setting the stage for further monitoring of at-risk sites to detect and control new invasions of this destructive snail. This study also shows potential opportunities for invasion monitoring offered by using low-cost efforts and methods that are adaptable for citizen science.

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Matching a snail’s pace: successful use of environmental DNA techniques to detect early stages of invasion by the destructive New Zealand mud snail

Biological Invasions ◽

10.1007/s10530-021-02576-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

James D. Woodell ◽

Maurine Neiman ◽

Edward P. Levri

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Early Stages ◽

Mud Snail ◽

New Zealand Mud Snail

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Consumption of the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) by benthivorous predators in temperate lakes: a case study from Lithuania

Hydrobiologia ◽

10.1007/s10750-016-2733-7 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 775 (1) ◽

pp. 213-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vytautas Rakauskas ◽

Rokas Butkus ◽

Evelina Merkytė

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Potamopyrgus Antipodarum ◽

Temperate Lakes ◽

Mud Snail ◽

New Zealand Mud Snail

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Interactions Between the Invasive New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus Antipodarum) and a Native Snail (Fossaria Bakerilymnaea Bulimoides Group) in the Greater Yeelowstone

The UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports ◽

10.13001/uwnpsrc.2011.3815 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 161-170

Author(s):

Heather Thon ◽

Amy Krist

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

American West ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Potamopyrgus Antipodarum ◽

The Past ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

And Function ◽

New Zealand Mud Snail ◽

The Impact

Understanding invasive species impacts is critical to determining how an ecosystem may function after an introduction. Invasive species can alter the structure and function of ecosystems, reduce biological diversity, and alter communities through predation, facilitation and competition. In the past 30 years, the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) has established in areas of conservation concern in the American West including Yellowstone National Park. To develop a greater understanding of the impact of P. antipodarum on the native co-occurring snail, Fossaria (Bakerilymnaea) bulimoides group, we conducted two experiments to assess the interactions occurring between these snails. We found that F. bulimoides growth was reduced by all interactors, but especially by P. antipodarum. In addition, growth of F. bulimoides was much more affected by high biomass of snails than P. antipodarum. P. antipodarum grew more in the presence of interactors and their growth was facilitated by the presence of the native snail F. bulimoides.

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