Looking for Lazarus: Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance of the federally threatened Slender Chub (Erimystax cahini) in the Clinch and Powell Rivers

Southeastern Naturalist
By: , and 

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Abstract

Erimystax cahni (Slender Chub) is a federally threatened fish native to the Powell, Clinch, and lower Holston rivers of Tennessee and Virginia. No individuals have been captured or reported for over 2 decades. We developed a species-specific environmental DNA (eDNA) assay to survey for its presence throughout its native distribution in new and historical sites. We detected Slender Chub eDNA in both the Powell and Clinch rivers in 3 of 43 sites sampled during summer 2022. The presence of live individuals could not be confirmed, and the detection of positive eDNA matches could result from pure individuals or hybrids. Note that positive eDNA matches do not preclude the presence of hybrid individuals; however, they can help guide managers to intensively sample areas with conventional methods (e.g., snorkeling and seining), which could improve the probability of capture of living individuals.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Looking for Lazarus: Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance of the federally threatened Slender Chub (Erimystax cahini) in the Clinch and Powell Rivers
Series title Southeastern Naturalist
DOI 10.1656/058.024.0104
Volume 24
Issue 1
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Eagle Hill Institute
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 20 p.
First page 37
Last page 56
Country United States
State Kentucky, Tennessee
Other Geospatial Clinch River, Powell River
Additional publication details