Grimm, Clare M., Barton, Jonathan, Bourne, David G., Sato, Yui, and Doyle, Jason (2026) Addressing a Flat‐Out Problem: Environmental DNA (eDNA) Exposes Silent Infestations of Acropora‐Eating Flatworms (Prosthiostomum acroporae) in Coral Aquaculture. Ecology and Evolution, 16. e73386.

Preview

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (593kB) | Preview

Abstract

Captive culturing of coral is required to supply a burgeoning aquarium trade and potentially supply populations to replenish reefs that have been degraded globally due to anthropogenic impacts. High-density coral propagation can be compromised by pests that reduce broodstock and offspring health. Acropora-eating flatworms (Prosthiostomum acroporae) are parasitic polyclads that often evade visual detection and feed on tissues of branching coral species of the genus Acropora, which are key targets for coral aquaculture production. We developed a highly sensitive and specific droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay to detect environmental DNA (eDNA) of P. acroporae from water samples, with the limit of detection of 2.3 copies of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene per ddPCR reaction. Validation was performed using water samples of aquaria holding Acropora corals suspected to be affected by P. acroporae, and the sequence identity of ddPCR amplicons confirmed by Sanger sequencing. P. acroporae eDNA was detected in some cases without visual confirmation of P. acroporae, indicating this assay can detect early infestations of P. acroporae that are not evident through visual monitoring. This study demonstrates that the ddPCR assay can be a valuable tool for monitoring pests in coral aquaculture systems and subclinical detection of parasitic infestations.

Item ID:	93794
Item Type:	Article (Refereed Research - C1)
ISSN:	2045-7758
Copyright Information:	This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2026 Commonwealth of Australia and The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2026 22:56
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 40% 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3005 Fisheries sciences > 300501 Aquaculture @ 30% 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3003 Animal production > 300304 Animal protection (incl. pests and pathogens) @ 30%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180507 Rehabilitation or conservation of marine environments @ 15% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1805 Marine systems and management > 180503 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in marine environments @ 50% 10 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 1002 Fisheries - aquaculture > 100299 Fisheries - aquaculture not elsewhere classified @ 35%
Downloads:	Total: 1 Last 12 Months: 1
	More Statistics