Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

In the last ten years, environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a technique for the detection and monitoring of invasive, endangered, and threaten species. The use of environmental RNA (eRNA) is starting to emerge as a method for addressing questions that eDNA cannot answer. eRNA could be a useful tool in determining if an organism is alive or dead. The goal of this project was to investigate eRNA preservation and extraction methods for the detection of the quagga mussel (QM) 16S and 18S transcripts. eRNA samples were collected at Canyon Reservoir, AZ, preserved three different ways, and three different RNA extraction kits were used. RT-qPCR was performed on the samples for both the 16S and 18S transcripts. It was possible to detect the 18S transcript with all three-preservation methods and the three extraction methods. The 16S transcript was not detected when preserved with the RNAlater preservative and with the Zymo Water and Monarch Kits. The project showed that it is possible to extract viable eRNA from water samples. Additional research is needed to optimize the collection, extraction, and analysis methods for eRNA, and to determine the best uses of eRNA in the early detection and management of invasive species.