Species in Focus

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Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) are marine intertidal snails that feed on algae. These snails were once common across California, but due to over harvesting in the 19th and 20th centuries their populations plummeted. Now black abalone are one of the few species of federally listed marine invertebrates. 

We recently developed a highly sensitive and cost effective qPCR eDNA assay to detect sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides). This new assay will support ongoing recovery efforts for this keystone kelp forest species.