Okinawa Churashima Foundation is researching environmental DNA. By examining a water sample for DNA fragments, and identifying the species the fragments come from, you can reveal what creatures are living in that body of water.
Our foundation has collaborated with the Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment to develop a method using environmental DNA to detect the presence of venomous habu kurage box jellyfish. These jellyfish are a danger to people visiting Okinawa’s beaches and ports. This method could alert people to the presence of the habu kurage box jellyfish even when they are not visible to the naked eye. It could also reveal the habitat of the larvae, which is not clear. This new method will be tested outdoors to reveal the ecology of habu kurage box jellyfish, and improve ocean safety.

Outbreak of habu kurage box jellyfish at a fishing port

Authors

Yasuhito Azama, Shin-ichiro Oka, Morimi Teruya, Sho Toshino, Miyako Tanimoto, Nozomi Hanahara, Yumani Kuba, Ayano Miyagi and Yoshimune Fukuchi　（Bold letters: the Churashima Foundation Staff）

Title

Real-time PCR assay for detection of Environmental DNA from Chironex yamaguchii

Journal

Medical Entomology and Zoology

Link

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/mez/74/1/74_2213/_article/-char/ja/