Data from: Using occupancy modeling to compare environmental DNA to traditional field methods for regional-scale monitoring of an endangered aquatic species

Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring approaches promise to greatly improve detection of rare, endangered, and invasive species in comparison to traditional field approaches. Herein, eDNA approaches and traditional seining methods were applied at 29 research locations to compare method-specific estimates of detection and occupancy probabilities for endangered tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi). At each location multiple paired seine hauls and water samples for eDNA analysis were taken, ranging from two to 23 samples per site, depending upon habitat size. Analysis using a multi-method occupancy modeling framework indicated that the probability of detection using eDNA was nearly double (0.74) the rate of detection for seining (0.39). The higher detection rates afforded by eDNA allowed determination of tidewater goby occupancy at two locations where they have not been previously detected and at one location considered to be locally extirpated. Additionally, eDNA concentration was positively related to tidewater goby catch per unit effort, suggesting eDNA could potentially be used as a proxy for local tidewater goby abundance. Compared to traditional field sampling, eDNA provided improved occupancy parameter estimates, and can be applied to increase management efficiency across a broad spatial range and within a diversity of habitats.

与传统野外监测方法相比，环境DNA（environmental DNA，简称eDNA）监测手段有望大幅提升对稀有、濒危及入侵物种的检出效率。本研究在29个研究点位同步应用eDNA监测法与传统拖网法，对比分析濒危潮间带虾虎鱼（Eucyclogobius newberryi）的方法特异性检出率与种群占据概率。每个点位均采集多组成对的拖网样品与水体eDNA分析样品，采样份数介于2至23份之间，具体取决于栖息地规模。采用多方法占据率建模框架开展分析后发现，eDNA监测的检出概率（0.74）几乎是拖网法（0.39）的两倍。eDNA更高的检出率使得研究人员能够在两个此前未检出该物种的点位，以及一个被认为已局部灭绝的点位，确认潮间带虾虎鱼的种群占据情况。此外，eDNA浓度与潮间带虾虎鱼单位捕捞努力量渔获量呈显著正相关，这表明eDNA或可作为区域内该物种种群丰度的替代指标。相较于传统野外采样，eDNA监测可优化种群占据率的参数估算结果，并能在更大空间范围与多样栖息地中提升管理效率。