Development and testing of an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay for endangered Atlantic sturgeon to assess its potential as a monitoring and management tool

Significant declines in Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus) abundances along the US east coast have spurred major research efforts and management actions over the last 50 years, yet information on spawning stock abundances and habitat use is still lacking for many river systems, including in the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Here, we developed and tested a new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to detect Atlantic sturgeon environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples with the goal of providing an alternative method to monitor presence and relative abundance. We also examined Atlantic sturgeon eDNA shedding rates in laboratory experiments. A qPCR-probe assay targeting  Cytochrome-B  was developed and showed no amplification of other related and co-occurring fishes. Pond trials at a density of ~0.2 g/L sturgeon produced relatively strong eDNA detections (~1,000-25,000 copies/L) in all seven water samples assayed. Water samples taken from two river systems in the Chesapeake Bay produced ze...