A species-specific digital PCR assay for the endangered blue racer ( Coluber constrictor foxii ) in Canada
The only population of the endangered blue racer ( ) in Canada occurs on Pelee Island, Ontario. The species is threatened by multiple factors, including habitat degradation and loss, road mortality, persecution, and potentially predation. We designed and evaluated the performance of an environmental...
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Published in | Genome Vol. 66; no. 9; pp. 251 - 260 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Canada
NRC Research Press
01.09.2023
Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The only population of the endangered blue racer (
) in Canada occurs on Pelee Island, Ontario. The species is threatened by multiple factors, including habitat degradation and loss, road mortality, persecution, and potentially predation. We designed and evaluated the performance of an environmental DNA droplet digital PCR assay that can be used for multiple facets of conservation of this species. We tested the assay
and
using DNA of blue racers and co-occurring snake species and estimated the LOD and LOQ using synthetic DNA. As wild turkey predation has been suggested to negatively affect racers, we tested the assay on eight wild turkey faecal samples. Our assay is specific, can detect the target species at very low levels of concentration (0.002 copies/µL), and can accurately quantify copy numbers ≥ 0.26 copies/µL. We detected no racer DNA in any wild turkey faecal sample. More faecal samples collected at strategic locations during snake peak activity on Pelee Island would enable a more thorough assessment of the possibility of turkey predation. Our assay should be effective for other environmental samples and can be used for investigating other factors negatively affecting blue racers, for example, helping to quantify blue racer habitat suitability and site occupancy. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0831-2796 1480-3321 |
DOI: | 10.1139/gen-2023-0008 |