Who’s in the Stream? Finding Species Through eDNA Sampling
At the MidCoast Watershed Council’s next virtual Community Meeting, Dr. Kellie Carim will discuss sampling using environmental DNA. To register for the talk click HERE
Or cut and paste the following link into your web browser:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrdemgrjopH93iWqN-SSgMSSCQHjCVjcth
DNA is the genetic material that is found in all organisms and each species has its own unique patterns of the genetic code. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is simply DNA that organisms shed into their surrounding environment (water, snow, soil, or even air) through the sloughing off of cells. Biologists can collect and analyze this DNA to understand what animals are in a given area. For example, a glass of water collected from a stream along the Oregon coast will contain the DNA from the organisms living upstream of where that sample was collected. Biologists now have the power to quickly identify the animals present in that stream by filtering out the DNA in that glass of water and analyzing the various genetics codes that are present. Fish, frogs, mammals, mussels - all from a single glass of water. That is pretty amazing!
While it may sound like magic, eDNA is becoming common tool in aquatic research and management. In particular, this tool is exceptionally useful for finding species that are rare, elusive, or invasive. For example, the technique has found endangered frogs, fish and marine species when other methods could not find them. Here in western Oregon, it’s helping us understand lamprey, freshwater mussels and other fish and shellfish distributions.
On Thursday April 1 at 6:30, please join the MidCoast Watersheds Council’s zoom meeting, as Kellie Carim, Ph.D. and eDNA expert, guides us through this fascinating field, and learn how the MCWC is applying this cutting-edge technology to inform conservation and management in our watersheds.
Dr. Carim’s talk will focus on work with federal, state, tribal, and non-profit partners to understand the presence and distribution of Pacific lamprey in the Columbia River basin and in our Mid-Coast watersheds.
To register for the talk click HERE. Or cut and paste the following link into your web browser:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrdemgrjopH93iWqN-SSgMSSCQHjCVjcth
Dr. Kellie Carim is an Aquatic Research Biologist with a joint position at the University of Montana and the US. Forest Service National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation. She received her B.A. in Biology from Carleton College and Ph.D. in Fish and Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. Is a native Minnesotan, but has grown to love the west and the lack of mosquitoes it has to offer.
