Validated eDNA assay enables non-invasive dugong population surveillance

Researchers have posted a preprint on bioRxiv describing the development and validation of a species-specific environmental DNA (eDNA) assay for the dugong (Dugong dugon), a vulnerable marine mammal that is difficult to survey using conventional methods in remote or turbid coastal habitats.

The team designed a quantitative PCR TaqMan assay to detect dugong-shed DNA from water samples, then evaluated its performance in controlled aquarium conditions at institutions in Australia and Abu Dhabi before applying it to wild populations in northern Australia and the Arabian Gulf region. The assay performed robustly across both controlled and field settings, correctly identifying dugong presence and discriminating against closely related species.

Environmental DNA approaches have grown substantially as tools for biodiversity monitoring and conservation genetics over the past decade, enabling detection of species at low densities without requiring direct capture or observation. For dugongs — which are legally protected across much of their range and are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN — a validated, non-invasive detection tool could materially improve population surveillance capacity, particularly in areas where aerial or boat-based surveys are logistically challenging. The study is a preprint and has not completed peer review.