OceanX | Sequencing the Genome of the Red Sea @OceanX | Uploaded February 2024 | Updated October 2024, 14 hours ago.
Every organism that moves through the ocean leaves behind traces of its presence, like fish scales or tiny bits of mucus or feces. Those left-behind materials are called eDNA. The “e” stands for environmental. By taking a water sample and analyzing those genetic traces, scientists can identify which organisms are (or were) present in the ecosystem.
That comes in handy when you are trying to get a complete picture of the biodiversity in a huge area like the Red Sea, from its microbes to its megafauna. Through the study of eDNA, scientists will be able to gain a fuller understanding of what lives in the Red Sea, and propose conservation measures to protect this valuable ecosystem.
Watch the full story on our channel!
Every organism that moves through the ocean leaves behind traces of its presence, like fish scales or tiny bits of mucus or feces. Those left-behind materials are called eDNA. The “e” stands for environmental. By taking a water sample and analyzing those genetic traces, scientists can identify which organisms are (or were) present in the ecosystem.
That comes in handy when you are trying to get a complete picture of the biodiversity in a huge area like the Red Sea, from its microbes to its megafauna. Through the study of eDNA, scientists will be able to gain a fuller understanding of what lives in the Red Sea, and propose conservation measures to protect this valuable ecosystem.
Watch the full story on our channel!
