Development and successful real‐world use of a transfer DNA technique to identify species involved in shark bite incidents

Kraft, Derek W.; Meyer, Lauren; Webb, Maryann K.; Scidmore-Rossing, Kaylee; Huveneers, Charlie; Clua, Eric; Meyer, Carl G.

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.14808

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Our successful recovery, barcoding and fingerprinting of shark transfer DNA from the wounds of two shark bite victims confirms that this is a viable approach for identifying the culprit species and individuals responsible for shark bite incidents. Although previous studies have also successfully applied DNA barcoding and fingerprinting to identify the culprits responsible for shark bite incidents 38,39 , this is the first study to implicate the same individual in two separate incidents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Genetic profiling could be used to unequivocally identify both the species and the individual responsible for bite incidents. Recent studies have successfully used transfer DNA recovered from depredated fish catches 37 , neoprene and surfboards 38 to identify the culprit shark species. A recent study has successfully used transfer DNA recovered from human wounds 39 to identify two individual bull sharks responsible for human fatalities in Reunion island.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Clua

Meyer

Linnell

et al. 2022

Preprint

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DNA evidence is routinely used to identify individual predators responsible for attacks on people and livestock in terrestrial settings. However, the transfer of DNA techniques to aquatic environments for similar purposes is a recent development. To date, DNA barcoding has been used successfully to identify shark species depredating fish catches and biting surfboards and neoprene surfaces. In this study we demonstrate the successful DNA barcoding and fingerprinting of an individual tiger shark from transfer DNA collected directly from the wounds of two shark bite victims within two incidents that occurred 30 days and 85 km apart. This finding supports the existence of problem individuals among large shark species that target humans as potential prey. The successful use of DNA techniques to identify both species and specific individuals responsible for shark bites opens the door to selective removal of these individuals as an innovative shark bite risk management strategy. This selective approach would be a more effective, eco-responsible, cost-effective and ethical solution for vulnerable taxa than ongoing non-selective culling campaigns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Clua

Meyer

Linnell

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…The bitten fish were recovered, and the bite margins were thoroughly swabbed with sterile swabs to collect shark transfer DNA (three replicates per fish; Fotedar et al 2019). The tips of the swabs were carefully cut off and stored in vials containing DNA lysis buffer (Qiagen ATL Buffer; Kraft et al 2021). Between February and August 2020, volunteer fishers collected swab samples from depredated fish.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kit‐Based Sampling by Trained Fishers Yields Successful DNA Identification of Depredating Shark Species in the Marianas

et al. 2022

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Shark depredation is a worldwide yet not well understood problem that is responsible for economic losses in both commercial and recreational fisheries. We collaborated with fishers from the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific to identify depredating shark species via mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) barcoding of partially consumed fish from real-world depredation events. Trained fishers collected swabs from 29 shark depredation events in a line fishery targeting snappers, emperors, and jacks. Results showed that an assemblage of coral reef-and shelf-associated shark species was responsible for catch depredation in this fishery. The successful collection of transfer DNA from depredated fish by trained fishers and a 90% success rate in identifying the depredating shark species via mtDNA barcoding confirm that this approach is a practical tool for improving our understanding of depredation in a wide variety of fisheries. Although identifying the depredating shark species does not solve the problem of shark depredation in fisheries, it is a critical step in better understanding the phenomenon so that potential solutions can be identified.

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Who bit the boat? New DNA collection and genomic methods enable species identification in suspected shark-related incidents

Martin,

Doane,

Henkens

et al. 2024

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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Development and successful real‐world use of a transfer DNA technique to identify species involved in shark bite incidents

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Kit‐Based Sampling by Trained Fishers Yields Successful DNA Identification of Depredating Shark Species in the Marianas

Who bit the boat? New DNA collection and genomic methods enable species identification in suspected shark-related incidents

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