b'COVER FEATUREandalternativesurveyapproach.Therecompared to traditional surveys. And they arecurrentlyabout30animaleDNAdo not require permits. HOW eDNAgeneticmarkersavailable,andthecata-SAMPLING WORKS logue continues to expand as new markersMarryingfieldandgeneticlabwork, are developed for additional species.TheeDNA surveys make it possible to evaluate method can also be used for invasive speciespropertieswithlevelsofconfidenceand detection and water quality assessments. reliability that were previously intractable. Step1involvesdesigningspecialgenetic The emerging science is attracting muchmarkers for detection of one or more target attentionduetoitshighlyaccurateandspeciessuspectedtoexistonaproperty precisedetectabilitywithoutneedingtobased on local reporting and habitat. Here sample or observe the species themselves.liesthepowerofeDNA:usinggenetic Azimuths cost-benefit analysis reveals thatmarkersdesignedspecificallytodetect eDNA surveys can save clients over 80 peronly the target species effectively negates cent in consulting costs and reduce fieldthepossibilityofinadvertentlydetecting STEP 1.Design geneticinventory timelines by up to 85 per centothercloselyrelatedspecies.Thishigh markers to detect the target species eDNA.Built in OntarioFor OntarioSTEP 2.Design the eDNA sampling regime appropriate for project objectives.STEP 3.Collect the filtered samples (e.g., water) and extract eDNA in the field.STEP 4.Conduct the genetic analysis to determineOntario Sales, Parts & Service Ontario Manufacturingpresence/absence of theCambridge: (519) 624-6500 Aylmer: (519) 773-8915target species. ontario@elrus.com TM aylmer@elrus.comELRUS.COMFALL 2020AVENUES 7'