Gray seal quantitative PCR from environmental samples around haulout sites

Population genetics is an important tool in marine resource management, but the collection of genetic data for marine mammals can be physically invasive and logistically challenging. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a non-invasive method for monitoring the presence of marine mammals. However, effective applications are limited by gaps in our knowledge about how eDNA behaves in the marine environment, and its use for population genetics is an emerging area. Here, we test the application of eDNA methods for the detection and characterization of intraspecific genetic diversity in Northwest Atlantic gray seals. Our objectives were to quantify gray seal eDNA concentration around haulout sites and to test the ability of eDNA sampling to detect mitochondrial control region haplotypes. Gray seal eDNA was consistently detected 50 meters from seal haulouts and could be detected up to 150 meters from shore. Up to 14 haplotypes were detected in a single water sample, and we observed a positive cor..., , , # Gray seal quantitative PCR from environmental samples around haulout sites Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.djh9w0wb1](10.5061/dryad.djh9w0wb1) ## Description of the data and file structure This dataset pertains to environmental DNA samples collected around gray seal haulout sites on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and contains the raw quantitative PCR (qPCR) data, calculations to estimate DNA concentrations, and sample metadata. ### File Structure #### File: Clem_MMS_qPCR_Repository.xlsx **Description:**Â Data are organized in an Excel file with three tabs (README, qPCR Data, and Sample Metadata). The README contains descriptions for each of the variables, organized by the sheets they appear in. In Clem_MMS_qPCR_Repository.xlsx, the qPCR Data tab contains the raw qPCR outputs for each sample, as well as the final eDNA concentrations and the values used to calculate them. Sample Metadata contains contextual information associated with each sample, such as the haulout site the sample was col..., ,群体遗传学是海洋资源管理的重要工具，但海洋哺乳动物的遗传数据采集往往具有物理侵入性，且后勤保障难度颇高。环境DNA（environmental DNA, eDNA）为监测海洋哺乳动物的存在提供了非侵入性方案。然而，其有效应用受限于当前对eDNA在海洋环境中行为特征的认知缺口，而将其应用于群体遗传学研究仍是新兴领域。本研究针对西北大西洋灰海豹，测试了eDNA方法在检测与表征种内遗传多样性中的应用效果。研究目标为量化海豹上岸点周边的灰海豹eDNA浓度，并验证eDNA采样检测线粒体控制区（mitochondrial control region）单倍型（haplotype）的能力。研究团队可在距离海豹上岸点50米处稳定检出灰海豹eDNA，且在距岸150米范围内均可检出目标eDNA序列。单份水样中最多可检出14种单倍型，且我们观察到正相关…… # 灰海豹上岸点周边环境样本的定量PCR研究 数据集DOI：[10.5061/dryad.djh9w0wb1] ## 数据与文件结构说明 本数据集涉及美国马萨诸塞州科德角地区灰海豹上岸点周边采集的环境DNA样本，包含原始定量PCR（quantitative PCR, qPCR）数据、DNA浓度估算计算过程及样本元数据（metadata）。 ### 文件结构 #### 文件：Clem_MMS_qPCR_Repository.xlsx **描述：** 该Excel文件包含三个工作表（"README", "qPCR Data", "Sample Metadata"）。README工作表对各变量进行说明，并按其所在工作表分类整理。在Clem_MMS_qPCR_Repository.xlsx中，qPCR Data工作表包含所有样本的原始qPCR输出结果、最终eDNA浓度值及用于计算浓度的相关参数。Sample Metadata工作表存储各样本的关联背景信息，如样本采集所在的上岸点……