We designed two new samplers for monitoring airborne particulates, including fungal and fern spores and plant pollen, that rely on natural wind currents (Passive Environmental Sampler) or a battery operated fan (Active Environmental Sampler). Both samplers are modeled after commercial devices such as the Rotorod® and the Burkard® samplers, but are more economical and require less maintenance than commercial devices. We compared our two new samplers to Rotorod® samplers using Xyleborus spp. boring dust (frass) known to contain fungi responsible for Rapid Ohia Death. The comparison was done in a large outdoor field cage to determine relative effectiveness of the three samplers for capturing windblown boring dust. The dataset contains measurements of boring dust particles that were captured by the three types of samples over the course of twelve trials.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection tools are becoming increasingly popular for documenting occurrence and distribution of native and invasive species. These tools can allow early detection of new diseases and invasive species and provide critical information for land management. We designed two new samplers for monitoring airborne particulates, including fungal and fern spores and plant pollen, that rely on natural wind currents (Passive Environmental Sampler) or a battery operated fan (Active Environmental Sampler). This dataset contains results of an experiment that was designed to determine probability of detecting known numbers of Ceratocystis lukuohia spores on individual slides in these samplers.

We designed two new samplers for monitoring airborne particulates, including fungal and fern spores and plant pollen, that rely on natural wind currents (Passive Environmental Sampler) or a battery operated fan (Active Environmental Sampler). Both samplers are modeled after commercial devices such as the Rotorod® and the Burkard® samplers, but are more economical and require less maintenance than commercial devices. We conducted wind tunnel comparisons of our two new samplers to Rotorod® samplers using synthetic polyethylene spheres (12 - 160 µm in diameter) to compare numbers and size range of particulates that are captured by the samplers. This dataset contains raw particle sizes of polyethylene spheres that were captured by the samplers during eight separate trials in a sealed room with constant recirculating air flow.

This data release includes metadata and tabular datasets that document (1) Austropuccina, Ceratocystis and Myrtaceae qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) DNA detections in Passive Environmental Samplers (PES), (2) wind speed, wind gust speed, and wind direction measurements collected at two sites in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) where paired PES were located, (3) localities, sites and elevations where PES were located, and (4) Genbank accession numbers for Austropuccinia and Ceratocystis DNA sequences amplified from samples collected in a subset of PES. These raw data were analyzed and reported in the manuscript "Environmental Monitoring for Invasive Fungal Pathogens of ʽŌhiʽa (Metrosideros polymorpha) on the Island of Hawaiʽi".

Detection of low-density CoTS populations is critical for early warning of outbreaks and can lead to early management interventions (e.g., culling). A lateral flow assay method for eDNA detection was developed using a commercially available nucleic acid lateral flow device (PCRD™) in combination with a previously developed species-specific mtDNA primer. This method was applied to eDNA water samples collected in field locations where CoTS were present in low (=nonoutbreak) population densities to demonstrate the sensitivity of the method to detect these populations. Aquarium raised 6- to 12-month-old juvenile CoTS were used for laboratory testing to prepare dilution series of genomic DNA. A total of 58 water samples were collected from two locations on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia; 40 samples from Big Vicky's Reef in August 2019 and 18 samples from Elizabeth Reef in May 2019. See Doyle and Uthicke (2021) for full sample processing procedures. Each field sample was analysed via ddPCR and PCR/LFA and assay sensitivity was compared as well as an assessment of the cost and time to complete sample analysis. All data associated with this study can be found either in the main text or appendices of Doyle and Uthicke (2021) linked below.

This data set was collected to provide examples and aid in developing a standardized way of determining LOD and LOQ for eDNA assays and has 3 data files. GEDWG_LOD_DATA3.csv is raw qPCR data from multiple labs running multiple standards of known concentration for eDNA assays they regularly use. Comparison-Data.csv is the merged data output from running a generic LOD/LOQ calculator script multiple times with different LOD model settings. The generic LOD/LOQ calculator script is available at: https://github.com/cmerkes/qPCR_LOD_Calc, and details about the multiple settings used are commented in the analysis script available at: https://github.com/cmerkes/LOD_Analysis

The data being released were part of a project funded by the Section 40804 Ecosystem Restoration of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (PL-117-58) in support of advancing a national revegetation effort. Data included are from a series of DNA degradation experiments targeting the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera). This study sought to determine how various environmental conditions may affect eDNA left behind on flowers by bee visitation and thus the impact that may have on monitoring bees via eDNA. The experiments occurred in the laboratory and in the natural environment in 2022 and 2023 using store-bought potted or natural flowers spiked with Apis mellifera DNA. Flower samples were processed to elute DNA, DNA was extracted, and Apis mellifera quantified by qPCR. More information about the individual degradation experiments can be found in the Supplemental Information section.

This data release includes metadata and tabular data that describes results of testing beetle frass collected in BDT (boring dust traps) for viable Ceratocystis lukuohia. Frass was collected in BDTs that were placed over the entrances of active beetle galleries.