User:Jonbanksnz/sandbox

Introduction Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a recently developed technique that uses DNA captured from environmental samples such as water to detect the presence of large organisms such as pest fish. Although the term eDNA has been used in a variety of ways, it is now generally accepted that eDNA is DNA obtained from environmental samples such as soil or sediment rather than directly from the target species [2-6]. To date, eDNA has been used to detect species in a diverse range of environments and sample types such as soils, ice cores and faeces. Environmental DNA has been used to infer the range of introduced Asian carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (H. nobilis) and koi carp, six species of fish in the Yura River, Japan , weather loach in northern Europe and the distribution of endangered salmonids in North America. Other species that have been monitored using eDNA include frogs and salamanders, invasive amphibians , and aquatic plants. The collection of water samples for eDNA analysis has even been incorporated into a citizen-science programme to monitor the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus).