Data from: 60 specific eDNA qPCR assays to detect invasive, threatened and exploited freshwater vertebrates and invertebrates in Eastern Canada

Practical applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) are in exponential
expansion, especially for the assessment and monitoring of freshwater
metazoans. Because eDNA sampling and analysis is non-invasive, it improves
the detection of threatened, invasive and exploited species for which
monitoring may be challenging. Species detection efforts using a
combination of eDNA and qPCR have been highly successful and, as a result,
their use in species monitoring is expanding rapidly. We developed qPCR
primers and probes in order to monitor many invasive, threatened or
exploited aquatic species as part of various monitoring eDNA projects in
the province of Québec, Canada. Here, we present a total of 60
species-specific qPCR assays (including PCR protocols, primers and Taqman
probes sequences) developed for the detection of 45 fishes, six
amphibians, five reptiles, two molluscs and two crustaceans. These
comprised nine and 27 species respectively listed as invasive and
threatened in Eastern Canada. These resources should be of broad
usefulness not only for monitoring studies based in Québec but throughout
the geographic range of the targeted species in North America.