ICCB 2013 Program - Society for Conservation Biology

10:30 The role of conservation medicine in whooping cranes in North America
Glenn Olsen, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
10:45 The changing ecology of bartonellosis
Edward Breitschwerdt, North Carolina State University
11:00 Fungal diseases in disturbed Neotropical forests
Julieta Benitez-Malvido, UNAM-Centro de Inv en Ecosistemas
11:15 Wildlife health monitoring systems in North America: from sentinel species to public policy
Michelle Willette and Julia Ponder, University of Minnesota The Raptor Center
11:30 Implementing transdisciplinary and health-conservation projects in rural and under-resourced areas.
Claire Geoghegan, University of Pretoria South Africa
11:45 Role of Ecotoxicology in ecosystem health
Jeffrey Levengood et al, University of Illinois
12:00 Lead, health and the environment
Mark Pokras, Tufts University Veterinary School
Open discussion period follows from 12:15 to 12:30
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Symposium: Detection of Aquatic Species Using Environmental DNA: An Integrative New
Approach to Inform Conservation. Session II
Room 305
Tuesday, July 23, 10:30 to 12:30
Organizer(s):
Caren Goldberg, University of Idaho; David Pilliod, U.S. Geological Survey; Katherine Strickler, University of Idaho
Tuesday
Conservation efforts need techniques that are both accurate and effective to be successful. The new field of environmental
DNA (eDNA), where aquatic species are detected using DNA found in water bodies, has the potential to exponentially
increase the data available on presence of endangered species as well as early detection of invasive species. The detection of
eDNA is a novel, integrative method that greatly improves detection sensitivity and cost efficiency over field surveys for
biodiversity, with little or no ecological impact. The method requires integrating concepts and approaches from ecology,
hydrology, conservation genetics, and wildlife management and has attracted international attention from conservation
scientists and practitioners. Application of the eDNA method directly connects scientists with stakeholders as they
collaboratively develop eDNA-based monitoring programs.
Since eDNA was first successfully demonstrated in 2008, technique development has been rapid. This process has occurred
independently across labs, leading to a disparity of methods for eDNA detection and inference. At this critical time in the
development of eDNA technologies for conservation, we propose to bring together scientists from universities, government
agencies, and non-profit organizations at the cutting-edge of this field to present and discuss their approaches. This sharing of
knowledge will increase consensus on best practices and move the field into a more cohesive methodology.
10:30 Detecting terrestrial animal eDNA in aquatic samples from desert watering sites
Dr. Richard Lance, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
10:45 Developing eDNA assays for threatened amphibian species in acidic wetlands of the southeastern US
Dr. Anna McKee, USGS - Atlanta, GA
11:00 Deep sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of environmental DNA
Dr. R. Scott Cornman, USGS - Leetown, VA
11:15 Quantifying effects of UV, temperature, and pH on degradation rates of eDNA in a microcosm
Katherine Strickler, University of Idaho
11:30 Approaches for ensuring accuracy in aquatic environmental DNA studies
Dr. Lisette Waits, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
11:45 Successes and challenges of using eDNA to monitor amphibians in high-gradient streams
Dr. David Pilliod, USGS - Boise, ID
12:00 Error, quality assurance, and information exchange when using genetic technologies for monitoring and
surveillance in aquatic ecosystems
Dr. Andrew Mahon, Central Michigan University
Open discussion period follows from 12:15 to 12:30
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