Exploration of Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Detect Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii).

ABSTRACT: Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys utilize DNA shed by organisms into their environment in order to detect their presence. This technique has proven effective in many systems for detecting rare or cryptic species that require high survey effort. One potential candidate for eDNA surveying is Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii), a small natricine endemic to the midwestern USA and threatened throughout its range. Due to its cryptic and fossorial lifestyle, it is also a notoriously difficult snake to survey, which has limited efforts to understand its ecology. Our goal was to utilize eDNA surveys for this species to increase detection probability and improve survey efficiency to assist future conservation efforts. We conducted coverboard surveys and habitat analyses to determine the s

SUBMITTER: Ratsch R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7341209 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature