Transforming Marine Biodiversity Discovery and Monitoring
Over the past decade biodiversity researchers have increasingly used DNA sequences extracted from environmental samples such as soil, marine and fresh water, and even air – termed environmental DNA (eDNA) – to identify the organisms present in a huge range of habitats.
Over the past decade biodiversity researchers have increasingly used DNA sequences extracted from environmental samples such as soil, marine and fresh water, and even air – termed environmental DNA (eDNA) – to identify the organisms present in a huge range of habitats.
Sequencing these tiny traces of DNA has proved a powerful technique for detecting elusive species that may only rarely be observed directly, or in early life stage, when they may be difficult to identify, revolutionising biodiversity discovery and monitoring.
Researchers from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy and the University of Leeds have developed an innovative new approach for collecting marine eDNA samples which promises to open up biodiversity monitoring of remote offshore ocean locations.
Read more at: University of Leeds
Photo Credit: joakant via Pixabay
