Challenges in eDNA detection of the invasive European green crab, Carcinus maenas

Abstract The early detection of invasive species is essential to cease the spread before it can cause irreversible damage environment. analysis environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a non-harmful method detect presence visual and promising approach monitor species. Few studies have investigated use eDNA for arthropods, their exoskeleton expected limit release into We tested published primers European green crab, Carcinus maenas , in Gulf Maine found them not species-specific enough reliable outside area which they were designed for. then new primers, against broad range local faunal species, validated these field study. demonstrate that analyses be used crustaceans with an suggest probe sequences must on fauna at each location ensure no positive amplification other