RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Measuring biodiversity from DNA in the air
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2021.07.15.452392
DO 10.1101/2021.07.15.452392
A1 Elizabeth L. Clare
A1 Chloe K. Economou
A1 Frances J. Bennett
A1 Caitlin E. Dyer
A1 Katherine Adams
A1 Benjamin McRobie
A1 Rosie Drinkwater
A1 Joanne E. Littlefair
YR 2021
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/07/15/2021.07.15.452392.abstract
AB Impacts of the biodiversity crisis far exceed our ability to monitor changes in terrestrial ecosystems. Environmental DNA has revolutionized aquatic biomonitoring, permitting remote population and diversity assessments. Here we demonstrate that DNA from terrestrial animals can now be collected from the air under natural conditions, a ground-breaking advance for terrestrial biomonitoring. Using air samples from a zoological park, where species are spatially confined and unique compared to native fauna, we show that DNA in air can be used to identify the captive species and their potential interactions with local taxa. Air samples contained DNA from 25 species of mammal and bird including 17 known (and distinct) terrestrial zoo species. We also identified food items from air sampled in enclosures and detected four taxa native to the local area, including the Eurasian hedgehog, endangered in the UK, and the muntjac deer, a locally established invasive species. Our data provide evidence that airDNA is concentrated around recently inhabited areas (e.g., indoor enclosures) but that there is dispersal away from the source suggesting an ecology to airDNA movement which highlights the potential for airDNA sampling at distance. Our data clearly demonstrate the profound potential of air as a source of DNA for global terrestrial biomonitoring and ecological analysis.Significance Statement The global decline in biodiversity requires rapid non-invasive biomonitoring tools applicable at a global scale. In this study we collect environmental DNA from mammals and birds from air samples collected in a natural setting. Using only air, we identified 25 species of mammal and bird known to be in the area. Our dataset detected species at risk of local extinction and several confirmed predator-prey interactions. This approach will revolutionize terrestrial biodiversity surveys.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.