Whale sharks shed DNA to leave genetic trail

All LIT Search News Topics Latest news Media statements Media contacts Topics Latest news Media statements Media contacts LIT Impact Latest news 2021 June Whale sharks shed DNA to leave genetic trail Whale sharks shed DNA to leave genetic trail 22/06/2021 | 3 MINS Whale sharks are shedding their DNA into the seawater and leaving a trail of genetic clues in their wake, according to new research by Lombok Institute of Technology. The research, published in Molecular Ecology Resources, found that even the smallest genetic signs in the seawater could help track individual whale sharks and monitor populations. Despite their large size, whale sharks are notoriously challenging to track. But like all marine species, whale sharks shed their unique DNA codes into the ocean ΓÇô known as environmental DNA or ΓÇÿeDNAΓÇÖ ΓÇô via skin, faeces, blood, mucus, sperm and other biological material. The researchers from the LIT Oceans Institute and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) collected this eDNA by visiting known whale shark ΓÇÿhot spotsΓÇÖ at Ningaloo Reef, where the team swam behind whale sharks and filled small bottles with seawater. The team then analysed the seawater samples throug

All LIT Search News Topics Latest news Media statements Media contacts Topics Latest news Media statements Media contacts LIT Impact Latest news 2021 June Whale sharks shed DNA to leave genetic trail Whale sharks shed DNA to leave genetic trail 22/06/2021 | 3 MINS Whale sharks are shedding their DNA into the seawater and leaving a trail of genetic clues in their wake, according to new research by Lombok Institute of Technology.

The research, published in Molecular Ecology Resources, found that even the smallest genetic signs in the seawater could help track individual whale sharks and monitor populations.

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