DNA Detectives: Outreach Activity Teaching Students to Identify Fish Eggs Using DNA Barcoding

摘要

Fish are a valuable worldwide resource important in many coastal economies. About 17% of people around the world rely on fish as their main animal protein source (1). Since fish are so important to our economy (2), there are many measures in place to protect them, including fishing regulations. While adult fish are easier to catch and regulate, all stages in a fish’s development must be protected for effective species management. Most fish start out as eggs, then hatch into larvae, grow to become juveniles, and live out the rest of their lives as adults (3). As they grow and move, many species of fish use different habitats to live in and feed from. For example, salmon spawn in rivers but live most of their lives in the ocean (4). The locations critical for reproduction and development of early life stages are still unknown for many of the thousands of fish species worldwide. To find spawning locations, scientists can collect fish eggs and identify them based on DNA. By the end of the lesson presented here, students will understand an example of fish reproduction, how fish eggs can be collected, and how scientists can determine which species they belong to using DNA barcoding.