Surveying Pensacola Beach for Elasmobranchs using Environmental DNA and Metabarcoding

Abstract:

Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) have important ecological roles within ecosystem communities due to their influence over lower level organisms. Over the years, many elasmobranchs have experienced a decline in population size due to anthropogenic activity and many are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due to their size and high mobility, monitoring the distribution and abundance of elasmobranchs in marine ecosystems remains challenging. Traditional survey methods, such as longlines, can be harmful and often invasive. The aim of this study is to characterize elasmobranch presence and diversity at Pensacola Beach using cost-effective and non-invasive environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding techniques. In this study, water samples were collected at seven beach locations from July to December of 2020; abiotic factors such as temperature and salinity were measured. DNA was extracted from preserved samples and amplified using universal PCR primers. Detected elasmobranch species will be grouped based on season, and endangered species will be further investigated. This study will help our understanding of elasmobranch diversity at Pensacola Beach and help inform fishing regulations on these keystone species.