Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for the spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) and mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina) from water samples collected in the laboratory at different water temperatures. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase, mucket or fatmucket DNA qPCR results, and associated quality assurance measurements.

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina) and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) from water samples collected in the laboratory under differing food avilability scenarios. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase, mucket or fatmucket DNA qPCR results, and associated quality assurance measurements.

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for the spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta), mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina), and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) from water samples collected in the laboratory under differing laboratory conditions. Shedding rates were tested under variable mussel biomass, diet, and temperature. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase, mucket or fatmucket DNA qPCR results, and associated quality assurance measurements.

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for the spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta), mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina), and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) from water samples collected in the laboratory under differing laboratory conditions. Shedding rates were tested under variable mussel biomass, diet, and temperature. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase, mucket or fatmucket DNA qPCR results, and associated quality assurance measurements.

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for the spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta), mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina), and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) from water samples collected in the laboratory under differing laboratory conditions. Shedding rates were tested under variable mussel biomass, diet, and temperature. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase, mucket or fatmucket DNA qPCR results, and associated quality assurance measurements.

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina) and fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) from water samples collected in the laboratory under differing food avilability scenarios. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase, mucket or fatmucket DNA qPCR results, and associated quality assurance measurements.

Data describe a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiment for the estimation of eDNA degradation rates for the spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta) from water samples collected in the laboratory. Parameters described include laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of spectaclecase DNA and associated quality assurance data. Samples were collected from experiments performed from May 17, 2021 to May 30, 2021 at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Missouri

Data describe a designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiment for the estimation of eDNA degradation rates for the mucket (Actinonias ligamentina) from water samples collected in the laboratory. Samples were collected from experiments performed from November 01, 2019 to November 15, 2019 at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Missouri

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for subadult and juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) at different biomass densities and fed different quantities of food from water samples collected in the laboratory. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of black carp DNA, qPCR results and associated quality assurance measurements. Fish were weighed after each experiment to determine biomass (Biomass_g). For the subadult biomass study (SA_Biomass), a total of 9 experimental tanks (3 per biomass treatment) were assigned one of the following biomass treatments: low = 1 small fish, medium = 1 large fish, and high = 3 large fish per tank. Fish were housed in the experimental tanks for 17 days. Samples collected on day 0 and days 11-17 were used to determine eDNA shedding rates of subadult black carp at different biomasses. For the black carp subadult diet study (SA_Diet), a total of 9 experimental tanks (2 fish of approximately equal biomass per tank, 3 tanks per feeding treatment) were assigned one of the following feeding treatments: low = 2 Corbicula mussels, medium = 4 Corbicula mussels, and high = 6 Corbicula mussels per tank per day. Diet experiments lasted for 8 days. Water samples were collected from days 1-8 to determine eDNA shedding rates of subadult black carp fed different quantities of food. For the black carp juvenile biomass study (JV_Biomass), a total of 12 experimental tanks (3 per biomass treatment) were used and randomly assigned one of the following biomass treatments: control = 0 fish, low = 2 fish, medium = 7 fish, and high = 16 fish per tank. Water samples were collected from day 0 (prior to any fish being added to the system) to day 14. All samples were analyzed with qPCR to establish the eDNA stabilization period for juvenile carp post-handling in addition to determining the eDNA shedding rates of juvenile black carp at different biomasses.

These data were generated from a five-day laboratory study that compared environmental DNA (eDNA) concentrations derived from live and dead rainbow trout (Oncorhychus mykiss) to investigate how eDNA shedding differs between live and dead fish. Live and dead fish were each housed in separate tanks and eDNA samples were collected from each tank after 1, 2, 3, and 5 days. Additionally, propidium monoazide (PMA) was used to differentiate eDNA contributions from intact versus disrupted cells from both live and dead fish. The metadata described include: data collected on each fish used in the experiment including length and weight; quantitative PCR (qPCR) cycle threshold (Ct) values; and eDNA copy number. The metadata also includes the Y-intercept, slope, and R-squared value for each qPCR assay performed.