New Report on Crayfish eDNA in the River Dove

14 November 2019

Interested in learning about cutting edge crayfish eDNA research? Our own Andrew Farmer has just published a paper on the development of a new technique using eDNA (Environmental DNA) to detect populations of crayfish and crayfish plague in the River Dove.

From the report:

eDNA sampling was carried out on known populations of white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes and invasive signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus using different sampling techniques. A strategy was devised and used to locate populations of white-clawed and signal crayfish in the Upper Dove. The technique was also extended to other areas including donor and ark sites. Evidence of the presence of target crayfish species by the current assay was found to be consistent with information obtained by non-eDNA methods. Crayfish plague was also screened for at the same time as the crayfish species. Crayfish plague detection needs further consideration.

The project helped to develop a robust eDNA technique to sample crayfish in the lotic environment and was able to provide evidence to locate remnant native crayfish populations in the Upper Dove.

This report has been developed with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural England.

Read the Full Report Here

Check out our Crayfish in Crisis project here.