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eDNA Analysis

Detection or identification of species from eDNA samples taken from waterbodies such as ponds, lakes, rivers and the ocean. See how our qPCR assays can assist with your next project.

eDNA-based Species Detection

Our eDNA Analysis service can identify if a particular target species or multiple specific target species are present or absent within a waterbody such as a pond, stream or river. eDNA surveys are non-invasive and highly sensitive with the ability to detect very low levels of species presence from a single sample. All results are provided as presence/absence. See our list below for species we are able to detect. If you can’t see your species listed, we still may be able to help. Please check with us first to confirm that your chosen target species is possible to detect via eDNA in our laboratory.

Sample Analysis


Our Filter eDNA Collection Kit (£30 +vat) can be used for the screening of up to 4 unique species from a site. When returning your kit, please indicate on the sample collection form which species you wish to analyse the sample for. See below for full list of currently available target species.

Pricing:

  • Analysis of 1 target species – £140.00 +vat
  • Analysis of 2 target species – £170.00 +vat
  • Analysis of 3 target species – £200.00 +vat
  • Analysis of 4 target species – £230.00 +vat

Turnaround times:

All results are provided within 10 working days from receiving the sample at the laboratory.

5 working days turnaround (+£100 per sample) may be available depending on lab capacity. Please call ahead to check availability.

The cost of analysis is invoiced to your account once the results are made available. Note: for the first order on new customer accounts the cost of analysis is required to be paid upfront.

Sample Analysis

Sample Analysis

Popular Target Species & Case Studies



European Eel

Atlantic Salmon

Brown Trout

Full list below!


Buy Your Kit


Our Filter eDNA Collection Kit has been specially designed and optimised to obtain the maximum amount of DNA from a water sample possible. By using filters, we can collect DNA from volumes up to 1L (over 10x the amount collected using the ethanol filled tubes for GCN eDNA).

Only one Filter eDNA Collection Kit is needed per site, to detect up to four different target species. Mix and match to analyse up to four species including: white-clawed crayfish, signal crayfish, European eel, smooth newt, sea lamprey or any species from our full list below.

Please send samples with a completed eDNA sample collection form.

For advice on collecting quality samples see our detailed instructions or get in touch.

Filter eDNA Collection Kit: £30.00 ex. VAT

Buy Your Kit

Buy Your Kit

Returning Your Kit for Analysis


We recommend returning kits by an overnight courier such as DPD, they have depots across the UK and you can even arrange a convenient at home collection using their website. Alternatively we can arrange the collection of kits from your premises to our lab. The cost will be £40+VAT per consignment. We also accept hand-delivered kits between 08:00 and 16.00 Monday to Friday, and by appointment 24/7.

Please send completed kits back to our laboratory at:

SureScreen Scientifics
Morley Retreat
Church Lane, Morley
Derbyshire
DE7 6DE

Returning Your Kit for Analysis

Complete List of Currently Available eDNA Assays:

Amphibians
Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) Common frog (Rana temporaria)
Smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita)
Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) *American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Crayfish
White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) *Noble crayfish (Astacus Astacus)
Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) *Spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus)
Marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) *Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus)
Fish
European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Brown/sea trout (Salmo trutta) Pike (Esox Lucius)
Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)
Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) All shad species (Alosa sp.)
Spined loach (Cobitis taenia) *Topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva)
Invertebrates
Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)
Demon shrimp (Dikerogammarus haemobaphes) Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
Disease Causing Organisms
Crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis)
Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans)
 

*These target species may require an extended turnround time of up to 20 days. Please get in touch for more information.

Under Development

These below species are not currently available without additional/further development and validation. Please enquire if you are interested in working with us for the development of an eDNA assay for these species.

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua)
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Water shrew (Neomys fodiens)
New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) Pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae)
Palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Otter (Lutra lutra)
Water vole (Arvicola amphibius) European perch (Perca fluviatilis)

 

Contact us today to discuss your bespoke project ideas

Recomended Survey Seasons

Optimal survey period =
Sub-optimal survey period =

Great Crested Newt

Results for GCN eDNA surveys are only accepted by Natural England if the samples are collected between mid-April and late-June, however, we can analyse samples taken all year round for other applications.

Great Crested Newt icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Smooth Newt

Similar to GCN, adults emerge from hibernation on land from late February, returning to freshwater to breed. By October, most smooth newts will be back on land and preparing to hibernate.

Smooth Newt icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Common Frog

The common frog is often found in ponds across the UK between February and October. We would therefore recommend sampling is best completed during this period

Common Frog icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

All UK Crayfish

Due to seasonal weather conditions and changes in crayfish activity over the year, sample collection is best suited to the summer months where crayfish activity levels are higher.

All UK Crayfish icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Crayfish Plague

Detectable all year round due to the presence of spores, it is recommended to avoid winter months when extreme weather conditions can cause a dilution of detectable DNA.

Crayfish Plague icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

European Eel

After spawning, European eels spend around 8 years in UK waters without before leaving for the Sargasso Sea, so we reccomend basing eDNA surveys around the fishing season.

European Eel icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Atlantic Salmon

The Atlantic salmon is found in rivers in Wales, Scotland and North and South West England, however, populations have been recently declining

Atlantic Salmon icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Carp

Crusian carp and common carp are preset in UK waters all year round. Reccomended sampling time is based around warmer months where both species are more active.

Carp icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Sea Lamprey

For best results sample May-September when this species is most active.

Sea Lamprey icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Demon Shrimp

Overwintering demon shrimp begin feeding in the spring and reproducing in April. With up to 3 generations produced each year, the breeding seasons finish in October and activity levels drop until the next spring.

Demon Shrimp icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Freshwater Pearl Mussel

Freshwater pearl mussels are present in water throughout the year; however, activity levels drop off over winter. In the summer months, individuals are feeding and reproducing which allows a much greater chance of detecting DNA from the water.

Freshwater Pearl Mussel icon
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Resources

FAQs

How many samples do I need to collect?

How many target species can you detect per sample?

Is the test specific to the species?

What about biosecurity?

Who can sample?

Can this analysis prove the absence of my target species for building development?

Is this method approved by Natural England or the Environment Agency?

When is the best time to sample?

What volume of water do I need to filter?

Pond Sample Collection

Stream and River Sample Collection

What are the chances of detecting old/no longer present populations of the target species?

Is eDNA testing more sensitive at detecting presence of a species than traditional methods?

How do I return my kits to the laboratory?

Species not listed?

The species listed above are the routine targets we look for, however there are hundreds more species we can detect. Get in contact to see if the assay for your target species has already been developed, and if it has we’ll be able to detect it for you.

Note: For non routine targets we may need to buy the primers specifically for you, this may take a few days and may incur the cost price of the primers depending on the number of analyses required.

 

Assay not yet developed?

If an assay hasn’t already been developed, appoint our experts to design one for you using our Assay Design Service.

Contact us today to discuss your bespoke project ideas