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Evaluating the utility of environmental DNA for detecting a large Critically Endangered lizard in tropical northern Australia

Emily Hoffmann , Chris Jolly, Kathryn Dawkins, Kelly Dixon, Luke Einoder, Graeme Gillespie, Brett Murphy, Brenton von Takach

Abstract

It can be challenging to reliably detect rare or cryptic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging tool for detecting species and is increasingly being used to detect reptiles in terrestrial environments that are costly or difficult to survey or monitor using traditional methods. Here, we trialled eDNA metabarcoding to detect one of Australia’s most threatened and least known reptile species—the Arnhem rock skink (Bellatorias obiri). At the only site where they were known to persist, we sampled soil from 12 rock crevices, including four with high levels of activity of the target species, as well as water from three adjacent pools. We were unable to identify B. obiri DNA in any of the soil or water samples, suggesting multiple false-negative errors, despite our successful amplification of B. obiri DNA from an incidental scat sample. We were able to identify 15 non-target vertebrate taxa from our samples. Given that samples were taken from a site where B. obiri was known to be present, the eDNA metabarcoding technique trialled here does not appear to be an effective method for detecting this species. Our pilot study highlights that, whilst eDNA metabarcoding is an emerging and powerful tool in ecology and conservation, challenges remain in its application for detecting rare or cryptic terrestrial reptiles.

PC24072  Accepted 19 December 2024

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