A quantitative PCR‐based environmental DNA assay for detecting Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.)

Abstract The Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) has worldwide ecological, cultural, and economic importance. The species has undergone extensive decline across its native range, yet concerns have been raised about its invasive potential in the Pacific. Knowledge on the distribution of this species is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Main Authors: Atkinson, Siobhán, Carlsson, Jeanette E.L., Ball, Bernard, Egan, Damian, Kelly‐Quinn, Mary, Whelan, Ken, Carlsson, Jens
Other Authors: Atlantic Salmon Trust and Irish Environmental Protection Agency
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018
Subjects:
Atlantic salmon
Salmo salar
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2931
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Faqc.2931
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/aqc.2931
Description
Summary:Abstract The Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) has worldwide ecological, cultural, and economic importance. The species has undergone extensive decline across its native range, yet concerns have been raised about its invasive potential in the Pacific. Knowledge on the distribution of this species is vital for addressing conservation goals. This study presents an environmental DNA assay to detect S. salar in water samples, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology. Species‐specific primers and a minor groove binding probe were designed for the assay, based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. The results of this study indicate that environmental DNA is a highly effective tool for detecting S. salar in situ, and could provide an alternative, non‐invasive method for determining the distribution of this species.

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