In a breakthrough for conservation efforts, researchers have now developed a technique to assess the genetic diversity of wild populations using Environmental DNA (eDNA). eDNA is genetic material that is collected from environmental samples, such as water or soil, rather than from tissue samples of individual organisms. The new technique, developed by a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, provides a way to measure the genetic diversity of a population without having to capture and sample individual animals. This is especially useful for species that are difficult to capture or study, such as freshwater fish or invertebrates. The results of this new study are a major breakthrough for conservationists, as it provides a tool to monitor the genetic health of wild populations over time.

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source: Phys.org