@article{b98c79dec18b4f19b706fa150b90bfda,
title = "Fieldable Environmental DNA Sequencing to Assess Jellyfish Biodiversity in Nearshore Waters of the Florida Keys, United States",
abstract = "Recent advances in molecular sequencing technology and the increased availability of fieldable laboratory equipment have provided researchers with the opportunity to conduct real-time or near real-time gene-based biodiversity assessments of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we developed a workflow and portable kit for fieldable environmental DNA sequencing (FeDS) and tested its efficacy by characterizing the breadth of jellyfish (Medusozoa) taxa in the coastal waters of the Upper and Lower Florida Keys. Environmental DNA was isolated from seawater collection events at eight sites and samples were subjected to medusozoan 16S rRNA gene and metazoan mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene profiling via metabarcoding onsite. In total, FeDS yielded 175,326 processed sequence reads providing evidence for 53 medusozoan taxa. Our most salient findings revealed eDNA from: (1) two venomous box jellyfish (Cubozoa) species, including taxa whose stings cause the notorious Irukandji envenomation syndrome; (2) two species of potentially introduced stalked jellyfish (Staurozoa); and (3) a likely cryptic species of upside-down jellyfish (Scyphozoa). Taken together, the results of this study highlight the merits of FeDS in conducting biodiversity surveys of endemic and introduced species, and as a potential tool for assessing envenomation and/or conservation-related threats.",
keywords = "biodiversity, conservation, eDNA, envenomation, portable lab kit, upside-down jellyfish",
author = "Ames, {Cheryl Lewis} and Ohdera, {Aki H.} and Colston, {Sophie M.} and Collins, {Allen G.} and Fitt, {William K.} and Morandini, {Andr{\'e} C.} and Erickson, {Jeffrey S.} and Vora, {Gary J.}",
note = "Funding Information: We are grateful to M{\'o}nica Medina, whose assistance in establishing the Cassiopea model meeting in Key Largo (FL, United States) allowed us to conduct this research, and the meeting attendees for their assistance with collecting. Additionally, we acknowledge technical support received from Vanessa Molina, NRL Key West, and CPT Brett Ambroson, Diving Medical Officer, Special Forces Underwater Operations School, Key West, for logistical assistance in Fleming Key (FL, United States). Finally, we are grateful to two reviewers and the Editor for their constructive comments. This is a contribution of NP-BioMar USP. The opinions and assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as those of the U.S. Navy, military service at large or U.S. Government. Funding. This research was supported by the Office of Naval Research via Naval Research Laboratory core funds (work unit 6B84). CA and SC acknowledge postdoctoral fellowships through the National Research Council{\textquoteright}s Research Associateship Program. ACM was supported by FAPESP 2015/21007-9 and CNPq 309440/2019-0. Funding Information: This research was supported by the Office of Naval Research via Naval Research Laboratory core funds (work unit 6B84). CA and SC acknowledge postdoctoral fellowships through the National Research Council{\textquoteright}s Research Associateship Program. ACM was supported by FAPESP 2015/21007-9 and CNPq 309440/2019-0. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Copyright {\textcopyright} 2021 Ames, Ohdera, Colston, Collins, Fitt, Morandini, Erickson and Vora.",
year = "2021",
month = apr,
day = "13",
doi = "10.3389/fmars.2021.640527",
language = "English",
volume = "8",
journal = "Frontiers in Marine Science",
issn = "2296-7745",
publisher = "Frontiers Media S.A.",
}