Changes in DNA yield across time for tap water samples stored under three different conditions: Room temperature (blue line), refrigerated (green line) and frozen (brown line).

<p>Error bars show the ±2 standard deviation of the mean.</p

Flow diagram of the experiment investigating the effect of storage method and time on eDNA concentration.

<p><i>N</i> refers to number of technical replicates.</p

Performance and cost of filter paper-DNA extraction kit combinations in Experiment 2B.

<p>CN = Cellulose Nitrate, MCE = Mixed Cellulose Ester, PES = Polyethersulfone, GF = Glass Fibre filter paper.</p

Differences in DNA yield from five different combinations of DNA extraction and storage methods.

<p>DNA yield was log₁₀ transformed and error bars show the ±2 standard deviation of the mean.</p

Results of Experiment 1 presented as number of copies per unit DNA extract and number of copies per unit water volume.

<p>The volume of processed water samples, DNA extraction kits and final DNA elution volumes are also given.</p

Experimental design for Experiment 2B investigating DNA yields in five different DNA extraction kit-filter paper combination from stream water.

<p><i>N</i> refers to number of technical replicates. CN, MCE, PES, PCTE and GF refer to the types of filter papers whereas DNeasy and PowerWater (PW) refer to the two DNA extraction kits used in the experiment.</p

Experimental design used to compare five different combinations of capture, preservation and DNA extraction methods.

<p>N is the number of technical replicates and each replicate represents one 250 ml water sample. DNeasy and PowerWater (PW) refer to the two DNA extraction kits used in the experiment.</p

Experimental design for Experiment 2A to investigate which DNA extraction kit-filter paper combination would give the best DNA yield.

<p><i>N</i> refers to number of technical replicates. CN, MCE, PES, PCTE and GF refer to the types of filter papers whereas DNeasy and PowerWater (PW) refer to the two DNA extraction kits used in the experiment.</p

DNA yield from eight DNA extraction kit-filter paper combinations from samples in aquaria with UV-sterilized water.

<p>Clear bars used DNeasy extraction kit while shaded grey bars used the PowerWater kit. CN = Cellulose Nitrate, MCE = Mixed Cellulose Ester, PES = Polyethersulfone, PCTE = Polycarbonate track-etched. Error bars show the ±2 standard deviation of the mean.</p

DNA yield from five different extraction kit-filter paper combinations from stream water samples.

<p>Clear bars used DNeasy extraction kit while shaded grey bars used the PowerWater kit. Error bars show the ±2 standard deviation of the mean.</p