Environmental DNA approach complements social media reports to detect an endangered freshwater stingray species in the wild

Lim, Kean Chong and Then, Amy Yee Hui (2022) Environmental DNA approach complements social media reports to detect an endangered freshwater stingray species in the wild. Endangered Species Research, 48. pp. 43-50. ISSN 1863-5407, DOI https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01187.

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Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) barcoding has emerged as an important non-invasive sampling technique for the detection of rare and endangered species that can be difficult to sample. Our objective was to develop a low-cost eDNA barcoding approach for the detection of an Endangered freshwater stingray species Fluvitrygon kittipongi in a tropical river system in Peninsular Malaysia. We designed a species-specific primer for a fragment of F. kittipongi cytochrome oxidase subunit I mtDNA (244 bp). The effectiveness of this primer to detect the stingray was evaluated using water samples taken from the upper and middle reaches of the Pahang River coupled with social media reports on sightings of F. kittipongi. Five of 14 water samples tested showed positive PCR amplification for the targeted species. These results represent the first successful application of eDNA to detect freshwater stingrays in Malaysia. Using a combination of freshly obtained carcass samples, social media reporting and target species eDNA detection, this study provides formal occurrence records of F. kittipongi in Malaysia in 3 major watersheds: the Perak, Pahang and Kelantan Rivers.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Malaysian Nature Society (Grant No: PV025-2018), University Malaya Research Grant (Grant No: RP018C-16SUS)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Fluvitrygon kittipongi; eDNA; Distribution; Malaysia; Pahang River; Non-invasive sampling
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Institute of Biological Sciences
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 10 Oct 2023 09:47
Last Modified: 10 Oct 2023 09:47
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/42374

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