Environmental DNA Survey for the Maugean Skate in Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania

The NESP MaC 1.33 dataset contains results from an environmental DNA (eDNA) survey for the endangered Maugean skate in Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania. Water samples were collected from the seafloor in Bathurst Harbour in November 2021 and February 2022, and control samples from Macquarie Harbour in December 2021. DNA was extracted and analyzed via qPCR amplification using mitochondrial primer pairs to detect species presence.

Use Cases

• Assess species presence/absence based on eDNA detection methods described.
• Compare detection rates between the primary (Macquarie Harbour) and historically sparse (Bathurst Harbour) populations.
• Validate eDNA sampling and qPCR analysis techniques for monitoring rare elasmobranchs.
• Support conservation status assessments for the Maugean skate based on updated distribution data.

Strengths

• Focuses on a species with one of the most limited distributions of any known extant elasmobranch.
• Includes control samples from Macquarie Harbour for methodological comparison.
• Uses two mitochondrial gene regions for eDNA detection, potentially increasing reliability.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic/temporal bias inherent to the specific survey periods and locations.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, filtration, extraction, and qPCR amplification.

Time Range

2021-2022

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-28 15:40:23.731746; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Bathurst Harbour and Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, Australia