Abstract
The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful, non-destructive technique for detecting rare or hard to find freshwater organisms. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of environmental DNA analysis as a method for detecting a rare amphibian, the golden tree frog (Phytotriades auratus). These frogs are believed to live exclusively within one species of tank bromeliad, Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora, found on the highest peaks of the island of Trinidad in the West Indies. Previous survey methods for this species involved bromeliad destruction, while here we collected and analyzed water samples from discrete pools within G. erectiflora plants for species-specific DNA. We found 1) that we can identify the presence of P. auratus in the bromeliads using environmental DNA analysis, and 2) that environmental DNA evidence indicates the presence of a previously undiscovered P. auratus population, increasing the species’ range from two isolated ‘sky islands’ to three.
Highlights
The use of environmental DNA as a method for detecting rare and elusive species has been successfully implemented in a range of freshwater systems, including wetlands, streams and lakes [1,2]
Environmental DNA describes genetic material that has been released into the environment, and the detection of macro-organisms using this material has enormous potential to contribute to conservation through detection of previously unknown populations of rare species
Records are scarce for P. auratus and previous surveys have been unsuccessful at confirming its PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone
Summary
The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a method for detecting rare and elusive species has been successfully implemented in a range of freshwater systems, including wetlands, streams and lakes [1,2]. Environmental DNA describes genetic material that has been released into the environment, and the detection of macro-organisms using this material has enormous potential to contribute to conservation through detection of previously unknown populations of rare species. One such species is the golden tree frog (Phytotriades auratus) which completes most of its life cycle within the tank of an epiphytic bromeliad [3, 4]. Records are scarce for P. auratus and previous surveys have been unsuccessful at confirming its PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0168787 January 4, 2017
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
