US officials to use eDNA to test for harmful invasive species in Columbia River Basin

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) plans to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect invasive species that can harm native salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin, according to a solicitation posted by the agency on 16 December.eDNA is genetic material, such as tissue cells, mucus, or urine, that is shed by an organism in its environment. After collecting water samples, scientists can conduct lab tests to detect eDNA and determine whether a species is present in a given habitat.According to USFWS, the Columbia River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (CRFWCO) is planning to collect water samples from six fish hatcheries along the lower Columbia River to determine whether they have been contaminated by any of five aquative invasive species: New Zealand mudsnail, zebra mussel, quagga mussel, northern pike, and American bullfrog.“Aquatic invasive species [AIS] such as the New Zealand mudsnail are an issue of concern for federal fisheries managers because fish stocking ...