Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are transforming invasive species monitoring by enabling sensitive, cost-effective detection and community-level insights that often outperform traditional field surveys. The quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), a prolific freshwater invader originating from the Black Sea, has rapidly spread through Swiss perialpine lakes and rivers since its first detection in 2014, with profound ecological and socio-economic impacts on water quality, native biodiversity, and hydropower infrastructure in affected cantons.
We present a comprehensive eDNA-based monitoring framework developed by SimplexDNA for cantonal authorities in Zurich and Aargau, integrating quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays with high-throughput metabarcoding to detect and quantify quagga mussel DNA in water samples. Our qPCR assays target species-specific genetic markers to achieve high sensitivity for early invasion fronts and low-density populations, while metabarcoding datasets provide broader context on co-occurring biota and the ecosystem response. These dual approaches support robust presence/absence and relative abundance assessments that inform adaptive management strategies across diverse freshwater systems.
This work aligns with the career-long research trajectory of Dr. David Lodge, whose impactful studies in invasive species ecology and ecological forecasting have emphasized the need for early-detection tools to support decision making and risk assessment. Lodge’s advocacy for bridging academic research with practical management including pioneering eDNA as a decision-support tool underpins the conceptual framework of this project.
Our findings demonstrate that integrating qPCR and metabarcoding eDNA methods can enhance surveillance efficiency, provide actionable data for government authorities, and contribute to evidence-based management of high-priority aquatic invaders such as the quagga mussel.