Data

Translation from Research to Management: Optimising eDNA as a monitoring tool for the Crown of Thorns Seastar

Australian Institute of Marine Science
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
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This publication describes optimisation and understanding of operationally important factors including eDNA capture efficiency, preservation stability and sampling timing are required.This metadata record includes all data utilised for this publication.Membrane filter type and preservation testing.Water samples collected from tanks holding CoTS at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, SeaSim and filtered through different membrane filters to determine the best eDNA capture medium. eDNA captured on membrane filters were preserved via dessication and lysis buffer to determine optimal storage stability. Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript). eDNA collection during CoTS spawning seasonWinter and summer eDNA samples were collected from Davies Reef, Bindal Sea Country, near Townsville, Queensland, Australia over 3 years using MCE 1.2um membrane filters. Collections were from the 3 sites (same sites each year) and 12 replicates per site were collected. eDNA captured on membrane filters were preserved in lysis buffer. Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript). Case study: Joint Field Management Program - eDNA collection and analysis from low density CoTS locations.Optimised eDNA samples collection and preservation protocols utilised to train a third party, in this case staff from the Joint Field Management Program (JFMP), a partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The JFMP conducted eDNA collections for CoTS monitoring alongside their routine marine monitoring activities. eDNA captured on membrane filters were preserved in lysis buffer. Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript). A total of eight reefs were monitored in November 2023 in reefs in Ngaro Sea Country, Whitsunday region, Queensland, Australia. Results demonstrated some the reefs were eDNA samples were collected may have concerning populations of CoTS.Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Field collections involved filtering sea water 'on-site' through filter membranes with filter membranes preserved for later laboratory analysis. Laboratory analysis involved extraction with Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript). Collections for eDNA involve the filtering of seawater through 1 micron membrane filters and preserving captured eDNA in Qiagen buffer ATL. eDNA captured on filters is extracted using a Qiagen Blood and Tissue kit and CoTS eDNA measured via a BioRad digital droplet PCR method (see DOI links for published methods). A binary presence/absence metric along with concentration is presented in the dataset for each sample collected. Quality control applied to each ddPCR reaction included rejection of ddPCR reaction where the accepted droplet count was below 10,000 (https://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/Bulletin_6407.pdf) and consistent thresholding to determine positive and negative droplets. Field controls (MilliQ water filtered alongside sampling), laboratory extraction controls and PCR ‘No Template Controls’ (NTC) were routinely conducted. Documented SOP procedures include BioRad ddPCR AutoDG workflow, BioRad ddPCR AutoDG workflow and Qiacube DNA extraction of eDNA filter samples stored in 540ul ATL. 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While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.&rft_rights=Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2026). Translation from Research to Management: Optimising eDNA as a monitoring tool for the Crown of Thorns Seastar. https://doi.org/10.25845/wjhs-mc92, accessed[date-of-access].&rft_subject=oceans&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
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Use Limitation: All AIMS data, products and services are provided "as is" and AIMS does not warrant their fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. While AIMS has made every reasonable effort to ensure high quality of the data, products and services, to the extent permitted by law the data, products and services are provided without any warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of title, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. AIMS make no representation or warranty that the data, products and services are accurate, complete, reliable or current. To the extent permitted by law, AIMS exclude all liability to any person arising directly or indirectly from the use of the data, products and services.

Attribution: Format for citation of metadata sourced from Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in a list of reference is as follows: "Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). (2026). Translation from Research to Management: Optimising eDNA as a monitoring tool for the Crown of Thorns Seastar. https://doi.org/10.25845/wjhs-mc92, accessed[date-of-access]".

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Full description

Early warning, environmental DNA (eDNA) has the sensitivity required for low-density CoTS monitoring. This publication describes optimisation and understanding of operationally important factors including eDNA capture efficiency, preservation stability and sampling timing are required.


This metadata record includes all data utilised for this publication.


Membrane filter type and preservation testing.


Water samples collected from tanks holding CoTS at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, SeaSim and filtered through different membrane filters to determine the best eDNA capture medium. eDNA captured on membrane filters were preserved via dessication and lysis buffer to determine optimal storage stability. Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript).





eDNA collection during CoTS spawning season


Winter and summer eDNA samples were collected from Davies Reef, Bindal Sea Country, near Townsville, Queensland, Australia over 3 years using MCE 1.2um membrane filters. Collections were from the 3 sites (same sites each year) and 12 replicates per site were collected. eDNA captured on membrane filters were preserved in lysis buffer. Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript).





Case study: Joint Field Management Program - eDNA collection and analysis from low density CoTS locations.


Optimised eDNA samples collection and preservation protocols utilised to train a third party, in this case staff from the Joint Field Management Program (JFMP), a partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The JFMP conducted eDNA collections for CoTS monitoring alongside their routine marine monitoring activities. eDNA captured on membrane filters were preserved in lysis buffer. Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript). A total of eight reefs were monitored in November 2023 in reefs in Ngaro Sea Country, Whitsunday region, Queensland, Australia. Results demonstrated some the reefs were eDNA samples were collected may have concerning populations of CoTS.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned
Statement: Field collections involved filtering sea water 'on-site' through filter membranes with filter membranes preserved for later laboratory analysis. Laboratory analysis involved extraction with Qiagen Blood and Tissue method was used to extract eDNA from membrane filters and a published digital droplet PCR method specific for Crown of Thorns Seastar (CoTS) was used to analyse extracted eDNA (see references in manuscript). Collections for eDNA involve the filtering of seawater through 1 micron membrane filters and preserving captured eDNA in Qiagen buffer ATL. eDNA captured on filters is extracted using a Qiagen Blood and Tissue kit and CoTS eDNA measured via a BioRad digital droplet PCR method (see DOI links for published methods). A binary presence/absence metric along with concentration is presented in the dataset for each sample collected. Quality control applied to each ddPCR reaction included rejection of ddPCR reaction where the accepted droplet count was below 10,000 (https://www.bio-rad.com/webroot/web/pdf/lsr/literature/Bulletin_6407.pdf) and consistent thresholding to determine positive and negative droplets. Field controls (MilliQ water filtered alongside sampling), laboratory extraction controls and PCR ‘No Template Controls’ (NTC) were routinely conducted. Documented SOP procedures include BioRad ddPCR AutoDG workflow, BioRad ddPCR AutoDG workflow and Qiacube DNA extraction of eDNA filter samples stored in 540ul ATL. Please refer to references in manuscript.

Notes

Credit
Doyle, J.
Credit
Cabrera, M.G.
Credit
Taylor, S.
Credit
Uthicke, S.
Credit
Institution: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Australia.
Credit
Institution: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships, Marine Parks, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland, Australia.
Credit
Funding Body: This research was funded by the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the CoTS Control Innovation Program (CCIP) which is supported by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Modified: 28 08 2026

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Subjects
oceans |

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Other Information
Winter verse Summer Davies

url : https://api.aims.gov.au/data-v2.0/8c991d1f-be1a-4c61-af8c-cd26bbf0479e/files/Winter v Summer Davies.xlsx

COTS-Manta-Cull-Data-to 31012025

url : https://api.aims.gov.au/data-v2.0/8c991d1f-be1a-4c61-af8c-cd26bbf0479e/files/COTS-Manta-Cull-Data-to 31012025.xlsx

JFMP data

url : https://api.aims.gov.au/data-v2.0/8c991d1f-be1a-4c61-af8c-cd26bbf0479e/files/JFMP data.csv

Sites

url : https://api.aims.gov.au/data-v2.0/8c991d1f-be1a-4c61-af8c-cd26bbf0479e/files/Metadata sites.csv

Preservation_filter trial

url : https://api.aims.gov.au/data-v2.0/8c991d1f-be1a-4c61-af8c-cd26bbf0479e/files/Preservation_filter trial.xlsx

Identifiers
  • global : 8c991d1f-be1a-4c61-af8c-cd26bbf0479e
ACN 633 798 857