Identifying Oyster Reef Biodiversity with eDNA

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_ExqHokwaTnipcADjIWDAnw

Dive in with USCB Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Mercer Brugler to learn about oyster reefs and eDNA.

Dense aggregations of the Eastern Oyster create a complex habitat for a diversity of marine organisms. During low tide, exposed oyster reefs provide food for birds and small mammals, and when inundated, oysters obtain nutrition by filtering the water, which serves to improve water clarity and quality. Biodiversity surveys are traditionally conducted visually; however, resident organisms may hide, be too small for detection, or simply “abandon ship” prior to collection. Environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of intact cells (from skin, mucus, eggs, sperm, feces) and extracellular DNA fragments that are free-floating or adsorbed onto sediment particles can potentially reveal the true diversity of organisms living on an oyster reef.

All ages welcome
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