Detection of rare species can be challenging and time‐consuming using conventional methods, but environmental DNA (eDNA) is becoming a commonly used tool for detection in conservation and management of species. This study demonstrates the utility of the precipitation method (precipitated and preserved in 3 M sodium acetate and 95% ethanol) for collection of eDNA to detect the seasonal distribution of the critically endangered Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi). Surface and benthic water samples were collected across a wider geographic area than previously published for Alabama sturgeon eDNA. Surface and benthic samples both yielded detections and resulted in a similar proportion of positive detections to previous work. However, by sampling a greater portion of the distribution of the Alabama sturgeon, further insight was provided on potential sturgeon movement. The results of the precipitation method show that Alabama sturgeon detections increase during spawning months, and that the fish may be overwintering in the Tombigbee River. High detections from winter benthic samples suggest that habitat choice may play a role in detectability and highlight the need to consider natural history when designing environmental DNA studies. When designing environmental DNA collection for rare species, sampling design should factor in species ecology, habitat use, site characteristics, and specific questions driving the research.

中文翻译：

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改良的阿拉巴马st鱼环境DNA采样方案为一旦被认为已灭绝的物种提供了新的见解

使用常规方法检测稀有物种可能具有挑战性和耗时，但是环境DNA（eDNA）已成为检测和保护物种的常用工具。这项研究证明了沉淀方法（沉淀并保存在3 M乙酸钠和95％乙醇中）用于收集eDNA来检测极度濒危的阿拉巴马st鱼（Scaphirhynchus suttkusi）的季节性分布的实用性）。与先前针对阿拉巴马st鱼eDNA发表的文献相比，地表和底栖水样的采集范围更广。地表和底栖样品均能检测到，并且阳性检测的比例与以前的工作相近。但是，通过对阿拉巴马州st鱼分布的较大部分进行采样，可以进一步了解潜在的urge鱼运动。沉淀法的结果表明，在产卵月份，对阿拉巴马州urge鱼的检测有所增加，并且鱼在汤比比河中可能越冬。冬季底栖动物样本的高检出率表明，栖息地的选择可能在可检测性中发挥作用，并突显了在设计环境DNA研究时需要考虑自然史的必要性。在设计稀有物种的环境DNA收集时，