EDNAir: proof of concept that animal DNA can be collected from air sampling.

Elizabeth L Clare,James D Gilbert,Rosie Drinkwater,Chloe K Economou,Joanne E Littlefair,Frances Bennett,Chris G Faulkes

doi:10.7717/peerj.11030

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is one of the fastest developing tools for species biomonitoring and ecological research. However, despite substantial interest from research, commercial and regulatory sectors, it has remained primarily a tool for aquatic systems with a small amount of work in substances such as soil, snow and rain. Here we demonstrate that eDNA can be collected from air and used to identify mammals. Our proof of concept successfully demonstrated that eDNA sampled from air contained mixed templates which reflect the species known to be present within a confined space and that this material can be accessed using existing sampling methods. We anticipate this demonstration will initiate a much larger research programme in terrestrial airDNA sampling and that this may rapidly advance biomonitoring approaches. Lastly, we outline these and potential related applications we expect to benefit from this development.

Highlights

IntroductionEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) is DNA which has been shed from sources such as saliva, urine or skin cells and can be accessed from the collection and filtration of non-biological substrates such as water (Ficetola et al, 2008)
For example, have been found to increase under conditions of higher biomass (Eichmiller, Miller & Sorensen, 2016; Klymus et al, 2015; Takahara et al, 2012), increased temperature (Robson et al, 2016), and under conditions of plentiful food
We explore the active collection and filtration of air as a source of mammalian environmental DNA which we term ‘‘airDNA’’ and assess: (1) whether DNA can be extracted from air, (2) whether air volume and filter methods used for aquatic Environmental DNA (eDNA) can be applied directly to airDNA and (3) the source of airDNA collected

Summary

Introduction

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is DNA which has been shed from sources such as saliva, urine or skin cells and can be accessed from the collection and filtration of non-biological substrates such as water (Ficetola et al, 2008). Both intra- and extra-cellular forms of eDNA are released, giving rise to a continuum of free strands of DNA, mitochondria and intact cells (Sassoubre et al, 2016; Turner et al, 2014). Abiotic and biotic factors have been implicated in shaping the release, persistence and degradation of aquatic eDNA which, in turn, shapes the timeframe for detection.

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