Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) through non-invasive sampling continues to gain popularity in the surveillance of organisms. Methodological improvement to ensure maximum DNA recovery from the samples would benefit future studies. We investigated the effects of DNA extraction methods and filter preservation methods on eDNA yield by analyzing field-collected water samples for eDNA of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis). We tested whether the use of bead beating during DNA extraction, which likely facilitates removal of cells trapped on filters, would increase eDNA yield. We also examined whether preservation of filters in ethanol or storage at − 20 °C before extraction would yield more eDNA. Bead beating and preservation at − 20 °C significantly increased the estimated amount of eDNA.

通过无创采样分析环境DNA（eDNA）继续在有机体监测中获得普及。确保从样品中最大回收DNA的方法学改进将有益于未来的研究。我们通过分析田间采集的水样中东部地狱弯（Cryptobranchus a。alleganiensis）的eDNA，研究了DNA提取方法和过滤器保存方法对eDNA产量的影响。我们测试了在DNA提取过程中使用珠子敲打是否可能会促进eDNA的产量，这可能有助于去除捕获在过滤器上的细胞。我们还检查了过滤器在乙醇中保存还是在提取前在− 20°C下储存会产生更多的eDNA。珠子在− 20°C下拍打并保存可显着增加估计的eDNA量。