Corroboree frogs are two of Australia’s most iconic species. Like many any other amphibian species, populations are in decline due to the wide spread chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. With species listed as endangered (Northern Corroboree frog) or critically endangered (Southern Corroboree frog), continuing their survival through breeding programs and translocations has been essential. Evaluating the success of amphibian breeding programs and translocations can be difficult, with monitoring efforts restricted to certain times of year and often limited to the detection of adult male frogs using traditional shout-response surveys. Environmental DNA (eDNA) involves the detection of trace amounts of DNA organisms release into their environment and can detect both sexes of a target species across multiple life stages. The use of Environmental DNA as a monitoring tool could provide valuable information on the capacity of individuals to survive translocation efforts. In this study, we use eDNA as a monitoring technique, capable of detecting the presence of corroboree frog DNA non-invasively. An assay was developed targeting both species of Corroboree frog. The assay was tested on eDNA water samples from tanks containing captive reared Northern Corroboree frog eggs and tadpoles housed within a breeding facility. Northern Corroboree frog eggs were translocated to three ponds in Namadgi National Park with DNA detected at 3/3 ponds and remaining detectable at 2/3 ponds after 78 days. Incorporation of eDNA surveys into current monitoring efforts may be useful to monitor post-release survival of translocated populations in a non-invasive manner. Such knowledge can be used to inform the management of translocated populations or future release strategies.
Corroboree frogs are two of Australia’s most iconic species. Like many any other amphibian species, populations are in decline due to the wide spread chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. With species listed as endangered (Northern Corroboree frog) or critically endangered (Southern Corroboree frog), continuing their survival through breeding programs and translocations has been essential. Evaluating the success of amphibian breeding programs and translocations can be difficult, with monitoring efforts restricted to certain times of year and often limited to the detection of adult male frogs using traditional shout-response surveys. Environmental DNA (eDNA) involves the detection of trace amounts of DNA organisms release into their environment and can detect both sexes of a target species across multiple life stages. The use of Environmental DNA as a monitoring tool could provide valuable information on the capacity of individuals to survive translocation efforts. In this study, we use eDNA as a monitoring technique, capable of detecting the presence of corroboree frog DNA non-invasively. An assay was developed targeting both species of Corroboree frog. The assay was tested on eDNA water samples from tanks containing captive reared Northern Corroboree frog eggs and tadpoles housed within a breeding facility. Northern Corroboree frog eggs were translocated to three ponds in Namadgi National Park with DNA detected at 3/3 ponds and remaining detectable at 2/3 ponds after 78 days. Incorporation of eDNA surveys into current monitoring efforts may be useful to monitor post-release survival of translocated populations in a non-invasive manner. Such knowledge can be used to inform the management of translocated populations or future release strategies.
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