Only two studies to date have investigated spider web eDNA, and have successfully obtained both spider and prey DNA directly from webs. However, these studies were conducted in controlled laboratory conditions, and thus DNA degrading factors, such as heat, humidity, and light, have likely been reduced compared to field conditions. We here outlined a research agenda that aims to assess the utility of spider webs as sources of eDNA. Here, we reported how we investigate the detection efficiency of prey genetic material on two different web types in nature. In controlled laboratory conditions, we tested how DNA degrading factors indeed affect the detection efficiency of eDNA from webs.
COBISS.SI-ID: 43330605
Spider webs as aerial traps or filters represent an interesting new eDNA source, but they are almost unstudied in this respect. We addressed these topics, firstly by reporting how we investigate the detection efficiency of prey genetic material on two different web types in nature. In controlled laboratory conditions, we tested how DNA degrading factors, specifically light, heat and humidity, affect the detection efficiency of eDNA from webs. Second, we presented preliminary results of a metabarcoding approach aimed at assessing the use of eDNA from spider webs to conduct biodiversity surveys of arthropods, plants and fungi.
COBISS.SI-ID: 5000271