Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research collecting and analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) samples to evaluate the efficacy of detecting small populations of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) in the Hawaiian Islands. The research will involve sampling environmental DNA from the trunks of palm trees and providing a rigorous test of an emerging technology. The CESU partner is expected to co-develop a sampling design and site selection in collaboration with USGS scientists. Key objectives include designing and conducting field sampling for CRB eDNA and assessing how detection probability is affected by local CRB prevalence and/or abundance. • The project aims to inform the design of monitoring programs, including Department of War (DoW) biosecurity programs and port monitoring programs. • The CESU partner will collaborate with USGS scientists as the data are analyzed and interpreted. • The project will contribute to national security by directly supporting the DoW mission and enabling military readiness in the Pacific. • The research will also assess the feasibility of using eDNA technology for early detection and rapid response to invasive species.