#Spiders spin webs to catch prey. They’re also trapping a wealth of genetic information
#DNA captured by #spiderwebs may be a hidden resource that scientists can use to track endangered animals and monitor #ecosystems, according to new research.
By Katie Hunt, CNN
Published Feb 6, 2024
"Spiders spin silken webs to capture flies and other tiny prey. They’re also trapping a wealth of DNA from the surrounding environment, a hidden resource that Australian scientists said could be used to track endangered animals and monitor ecosystems.
"Spiderwebs collected from two locations around Western Australia’s Perth — Perth Zoo and the Karakamia woodland sanctuary — revealed the genetic signature of 93 animals, including native kangaroos and koalas and captive elephants and zebras, according to a study published last week in the journal iScience.
"Spiderwebs might be a useful way to keep an eye on what animals are around us, according to study coauthor Joshua Newton, a doctoral student at Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences near Perth.
"'These webs, often overlooked in biodiversity studies, proved to be reservoirs of genetic information,' Newton said in a press release.
"'With only trace amounts of DNA needed to identify animals, this cheap and non-invasive method could be a game-changer in how we explore and protect our terrestrial #biodiversity.'"
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