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Thesis
Implementation Of Environmental Dna Metabarcoding For Detection Of Freshwater Mussel Species In The Ochlockonee River Basin
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2025
Abstract
Freshwater mussels provide essential ecosystem services and are highly diverse, yet are among the most imperiled organisms worldwide due to a variety of anthropogenic factors, including habitat degradation, pollution, hydrological alterations, and invasive species. This study employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a non-invasive alternative to assess freshwater mussel biodiversity in the Ochlockonee River Basin, with a focus on comparing the efficacy of two eDNA collection methods, precipitation and filtration, across seasonal sampling events. Additionally, eDNA results were referenced to conventional tactile surveys to evaluate detection differences. A total of 11 sites were sampled, covering both the upper and lower basins of the river. eDNA detections successfully produced results at all 11 sites, with precipitation samples yielding higher species richness (15) compared to filtration (11). Conventional tactile surveys detected 13 species, including Lampsilis straminea and Toxolasma paulum, which were absent from eDNA results. Notably, eDNA successfully detected three federally listed species—Elliptoideus sloatianus (Threatened), Hamiota subangulata (Endangered), and Medionidus simpsonianus (Endangered), demonstrating potential as an effective tool for monitoring imperiled species. Seasonal comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences in overall detection rates between summer and winter, though summer samples exhibited slightly higher species richness. Filtration samples yielded lower detection success than precipitation, likely due to sediment interference, filter clogging, and reduced DNA retention on filter membranes. The results of this study highlight eDNA metabarcoding as a sensitive, cost-effective, and minimally invasive approach for detecting freshwater mussels, particularly for rare and endangered species.
Details
- Title
- Implementation Of Environmental Dna Metabarcoding For Detection Of Freshwater Mussel Species In The Ochlockonee River Basin
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- Alexis Janosik (Committee Chair)Nathan Johnson (Committee Member)Victoria Bogantes Aguilar (Committee Member)Andrew Hartzog (Committee Member)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 58
- Copyright
- © 2025 Jake A. Roush
- Identifiers
- 99381469153606600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida