NYC/NJ Fish eDNA ProjectMapping fish with environmental DNA (eDNA)

• Monmouth University and Rockefeller University Marine Research Initiative (MURU)• RU Summer Science Research Program, RU Program for the Human Environment

Monmouth University

Rockefeller University

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Monitoring fish distribution and abundanceDetecting invasive, endangered speciesPotentially faster, cheaper, gentler than traditional methods

Surrounded by Fish: NYC Marine Fish eDNA Survey

Collection sites 2015

NYC awash in fish (eDNA)• 13 fish species at 14 shoreline sites• Menhaden, herring eDNA abundant, widespread• Non-native species eDNA: European seabass (“branzino”)

eDNA tells about local environment• Sites differ in fish/human, #species, most abundant • Nearby sites similar

Tidal strait has nearshore fish eDNA

Salt marsh has salt marsh species eDNA

eDNA detects a non-native fish

• European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) at 1 Hudson River location• Marketed as “branzino” • Native to Europe, extensively farmed in Mediterranean• Some fish farming locations in US and Canada• Other non-native dietary species not found (incl salmon, tilapia,

tuna) • No known reports of wild individuals in US

People, Partners, Sponsors

MURU Marine Research Initiative

A collaboration between:

LABORATORY OF GENETICALLY ENCODED SMALL MOLECULESZachary Charop-Powers

Jeanne Garbarino

Howard Rosenbaum