Restriction lift date: 2026-05-31
Exploring the application of eDNA for intraspecific studies of the Shannon bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821): a preliminary study
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Date
2024
Authors
McKee, Jack
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
With the recent advancements in molecular technologies, environmental DNA (eDNA) has become an especially useful tool for biodiversity monitoring. More recently, eDNA has been investigated as a tool to obtain fine scale molecular information such as individuals’ mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes. This study examines the capabilities of eDNA in enhancing our understanding and monitoring of the well-studied Shannon Estuary bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population. Water samples taken from the fluke print of dolphins were filtered using two different filter types Sterivex (~1.5L) and Waterra (~50L) species-specific qPCR was used to detect bottlenose dolphins’ eDNA, as well as conventional PCR to amplify a 543bp haplotype region to identify known haplotypes from eDNA samples. These same water samples were also used for a metabarcoding analysis of fish species in an attempt to better understand potential prey species. Bottlenose dolphin eDNA was successfully detected in 44% of the samples using Sterivex filers and 61% using Waterra filters. The two haplotypes known from the Shannon estuary population (Ire1 and 2) were also successfully identified using Dlp1.5 and Dlp8G primers, and putative fish prey species were successfully obtained by both filter methodologies. The effectiveness of both sample acquisition approaches was compared and their implementation in further eDNA studies considered. The results of this study add to the evidence that eDNA is a promising non-invasive method for monitoring both presence/absence and genetic diversity of bottlenose dolphins.
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Keywords
eDNA , Cetacean , Bottlenose dolphin , Shannon Estuary
Citation
McKee, J. 2024. Exploring the application of eDNA for intraspecific studies of the Shannon bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821): a preliminary study. MSc Thesis, University College Cork.