KOROR, Palau — In October of this year, Palauan and international researchers expanded efforts to map marine biodiversity across the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) through cutting-edge environmental DNA, or eDNA, technology aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.
PICRC Chief Researcher Ikelau Otto and researcher Maikani Mereng Andres joined scientists Collin Closek and Jeanine Brantschen from the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University on the expedition, which is part of a continuing research collaboration that began in 2021. Otto led the eDNA project for the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and headed the Palauan research team during the voyage.
The team’s work focused on identifying the wide range of marine species within the PNMS — an area covering more than 475,000 square kilometers — by collecting and analyzing genetic material that marine organisms leave behind in seawater. This material, known as eDNA, includes microscopic traces such as tissue fragments, bodily fluids, and waste.
During the expedition, researchers collected water samples using Niskin bottles attached to a rosette sampler, a device that also holds a CTD instrument used to measure water salinity, temperature, and pressure. The collected samples are then filtered, and the eDNA is extracted, amplified, and sequenced to determine which organisms it came from.
Several Palauan professionals also joined the expedition as Senior Regional Advisors, including Manzel Ngirmeriil, Jeremy Nakamura, and Rodney Yoshida, contributing their expertise and engaging in collaborative learning.
PICRC officials said the ongoing eDNA project represents a major step forward in documenting and protecting Palau’s vast marine resources. The research is expected to improve understanding of the sanctuary’s ecosystem, aiding efforts to ensure its long-term conservation and sustainable management. (Source: PICRC)