Workshop „Crayfish & eDNA“

The Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences hosted a crayfish and crayfish plague eDNA detection workshop from 23rd to 25th May 2023. The idea of the workshop was to compare the methodology and discuss different approaches among eleven teams from all around Europe (Norway, Croatia, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Estonia, and Finland) because each team had a slightly different way, how to sample and analyse the data. On the first day, topical lectures took place, while on the other day, all participants practically showed their sampling approaches. The organisers prepared indoor tanks, outdoor ponds and a lake, where different crayfish species were stocked or naturally occurred, respectively. Adam Petrusek (Charles University in Prague), Pavel Kozák and Martin Bláha (FFPW USB) represented the Czech team. Further steps will be analysis of sampled eDNA in particular teams’ laboratories, where results will be a part of a comparative study of different approaches regarding sampling and analysis of eDNA samples. On the last day of the workshop, participants visited the crayfish farm near Stockholm. We would like to acknowledge the organisers for the nice and friendly working environment at the Institute of Freshwater Research in Stockholm.