Reporting the limits of detection and quantification for environmental DNA assays

Katy E. Klymus; Christopher M. Merkes; Michael J. Allison; Caren S. Goldberg; Caren C. Helbing; Margaret Hunter; Craig Jackson; Richard F. Lance; Anna M. Mangan; Emy M. Monroe; Antoinette J. Piaggio; Joel P. Stokdyk; Chris C. Wilson; Catherine A. Richter

doi:10.1002/edn3.29

Reporting the limits of detection and quantification for environmental DNA assays

Environmental DNA

By: Katy E. Klymus, Christopher M. Merkes, Michael J. Allison, Caren S. Goldberg, Caren C. Helbing, Margaret Hunter, Craig Jackson, Richard F. Lance, Anna M. Mangan, Emy M. Monroe, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Joel P. Stokdyk, Chris C. Wilson, and Catherine A. Richter

https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.29

Links

More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

Background

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is increasingly being used to detect the presence and relative abundance of rare species, especially invasive or imperiled aquatic species. The rapid progress in the eDNA field has resulted in numerous studies impacting conservation and management actions. However, standardization of eDNA methods and reporting across the field is yet to be fully established, with one area being the calculation and interpretation of assay limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ).

Aims

Here, we propose establishing consistent methods for determining and reporting of LOD and LOQ for single‐species quantitative PCR (qPCR) eDNA studies.

Materials & Methods/ Results

We utilize datasets from multiple cooperating laboratories to demonstrate both a discrete threshold approach and a curve‐fitting modeling approach for determining LODs and LOQs for eDNA qPCR assays. We also provide details of an R script developed and applied for the modeling method.

Discussion/Conclusions

Ultimately, standardization of how LOD and LOQ are determined, interpreted, and reported for eDNA assays will allow for more informed interpretation of assay results, more meaningful interlaboratory comparisons of experiments, and enhanced capacity for assessing the relative technical quality and performance of different eDNA qPCR assays.

Additional publication details

Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Reporting the limits of detection and quantification for environmental DNA assays
Series title	Environmental DNA
DOI	10.1002/edn3.29
Edition	Online First
Year Published	2019
Language	English
Publisher	Wiley
Contributing office(s)	Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center