Sampling environmental DNA from trees and soil to detect cryptic arboreal mammals

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Molecular Ecology

Background:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring traditionally focuses on aquatic systems.
• Terrestrial biodiversity assessments face challenges in detecting cryptic species, particularly arboreal mammals.
• Existing eDNA methods may limit geographic and taxonomic scope in terrestrial environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate terrestrial eDNA sampling methods for detecting arboreal mammals.
• To compare eDNA collection methods (tree bark vs. soil) and detection techniques (qPCR vs. metabarcoding).
• To assess the potential of tree-based eDNA sampling for monitoring mammal communities.

Main Methods:

• Two terrestrial eDNA sampling approaches were tested in New Jersey woodlands.
• eDNA was collected from tree bark and soil samples.
• Species detection was performed using metabarcoding, with qPCR used for a single species comparison.

Main Results:

• 16 mammal species were detected, representing over 60% of expected diversity.
• Arboreal mammals yielded significantly more DNA reads than non-arboreal species.
• Soil samples showed lower diversity compared to bark samples; qPCR was more sensitive than metabarcoding for specific species detection.

Conclusions:

• Sampling eDNA from trees is a promising method for monitoring arboreal mammals.
• This approach can expand the scope of eDNA biodiversity assessments in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Terrestrial eDNA sampling offers a valuable tool for studying threatened and poorly understood mammal populations.