Non-Invasive Underwater DNA Sampling Illuminates Red Sea Echinoderm Diversity

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Genetics
• Conservation science

Background:

• Non-invasive DNA sampling is crucial for assessing marine invertebrate biodiversity.
• Existing methods are often destructive or impractical for fragile ecosystems.
• Comprehensive DNA barcode databases are vital for accurate species identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel, non-invasive underwater swabbing protocol for marine invertebrate DNA collection.
• To assess the efficacy of this protocol compared to traditional tissue sampling.
• To establish a cost-effective and rapid method for genetic screening in marine environments.

Main Methods:

• An in situ swab-based protocol using sterile buccal swabs and a specialized underwater kit was developed.
• Red Sea echinoderms (308 individuals, >50 species) were sampled.
• The protocol was compared to traditional tissue extraction and tested under various preservation conditions.

Main Results:

• The swabbing protocol yielded sufficient DNA for downstream applications, with 88% PCR amplification and 94% sequencing success.
• DNA integrity was comparable between swab and tissue methods.
• Phylogenetic analyses identified 37 clades, including 20 novel Red Sea lineages, revealing cryptic and rare species.

Conclusions:

• Underwater swabbing is a rapid, cost-effective, and non-destructive method for collecting high-quality genetic data.
• This protocol is suitable for challenging field conditions and supports biodiversity assessment of at-risk ecosystems.
• It offers a sustainable alternative for large-scale genetic screening and conservation.