PCR genetic screening for presence of sea urchin DNA in rock lobster faecal samples

Data is PCR amplification results of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) faecal material tested for sea urchin DNA (using unique primers for Centrostephanus rodgersii and Heliocidaris erythrogramma) in an attempt to determine in situ rates of consumption of sea urchins by lobsters. An efficient and non-lethal method was used to source and screen lobster faecal samples for the presence of DNA from ecologically important sea urchins. Lobster faecal samples were collected from trap caught specimens sourced in winter & summer seasons over 2 years (2009-2011) within two no-take research reserves; declared specifically for the purpose of rebuilding large predatory-capable lobsters to assess the potential for predator-driven remediation of kelp beds on rocky reefs extensively overgrazed by sea urchins (North Eastern Tasmania) and reefs showing initial signs of overgrazing (South Eastern Tasmania). Data for molecular assays showed high variability in the proportion of lobsters testing positive to sea urchins, with significant variability detected across different years and seasons but this was found to vary depending on different lobster size-classes. Sea urchin DNA was also amplifiable from sediments and urchin faeces collected from the reef surface where urchins occurred in high abundance. Furthermore, positive sea urchin DNA assays were obtainable from lobster faeces after lobsteres were fed sediment and urchin faecal material.Rates of predation obtained with genetics tests can also be compared to independent rates of urchin losses given known lobster abundances within research reserves (and at control sites). Data of changes in urchin abundances and lobster abundances are therefore also lodged as part of this record.

本数据集为南岩龙虾（Jasus edwardsii）粪便样本的聚合酶链式反应（PCR）扩增结果，该样本针对海胆DNA进行检测（使用针对 Centrostephanus rodgersii 与 Heliocidaris erythrogramma 的特异性引物），旨在确定龙虾在自然生境中捕食海胆的速率。研究采用高效且非致死的方法采集并筛查龙虾粪便样本，以检测其中是否携带具有重要生态价值的海胆DNA。龙虾粪便样本采集自2009至2011年的两个冬季与夏季，采样对象为笼捕获取的龙虾，采样区域为两处禁捕研究保护区：一处位于塔斯马尼亚州东北部，该保护区专为培育具备大型捕食能力的龙虾而设立，用于评估捕食者驱动的岩礁海藻床修复潜力——该区域岩礁曾被海胆过度啃食；另一处位于塔斯马尼亚州东南部，其岩礁已出现海胆过度啃食的初期征兆。分子检测数据显示，海胆DNA检测呈阳性的龙虾个体比例存在较高变异，不同年份与季节间的差异显著，且该差异会因龙虾不同体型等级而有所变化。此外，研究人员可从海胆高密度分布的礁体表面采集的沉积物与海胆粪便中扩增得到海胆DNA。进一步实验表明，当龙虾投喂沉积物与海胆粪便后，其粪便样本仍可检出海胆DNA阳性结果。通过遗传学检测获得的捕食速率，还可与研究保护区（以及对照样地）内已知的龙虾种群数量对应的海胆自然损失速率进行对比。因此本数据集同时收录了海胆种群数量与龙虾种群数量的变化数据。