Insect DNA extracted, sequenced from black widow spider web

Insect DNA extracted, sequenced from black widow spider web
Southern black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) is with its prey house cricket (Acheta domesticus) trapped in spider web. Credit: Scott Camazine

Scientists extracted DNA from spider webs to identify the web's spider architect and the prey that crossed it, according to this proof-of-concept study published November 25, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Charles C. Y. Xu from the University of Notre Dame and colleagues.

Noninvasive genetic sampling enables biomonitoring without the need to directly observe or disturb target organisms. The authors of this study used three fed house crickets to noninvasively extract, amplify, and sequence mitochondrial DNA from their web samples, which identified both the spider and its to species.

The detectability of spider DNA did not differ between assays and spider and prey DNA remained detectable at least 88 days after living organisms were no longer present on the web. The authors suggest that these results may encourage further studies that could lead to practical applications in conservation research, pest management, biogeography studies, and biodiversity assessments. However, further testing of field-collected from more species and habitats is needed to evaluate the generality of these findings.

Charles Cong Xu says: "Sticky spider webs are natural DNA samplers, trapping nearby insects and other things blowing in the wind. We see potential for broad environmental monitoring because spiders build webs in so many places."

More information: Xu CCY, Yen IJ, Bowman D, Turner CR (2015) Spider Web DNA: A New Spin on Noninvasive Genetics of Predator and Prey. PLoS ONE 10(11): e0142503. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142503

Journal information: PLoS ONE

Citation: Insect DNA extracted, sequenced from black widow spider web (2015, November 25) retrieved 20 April 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2015-11-insect-dna-sequenced-black-widow.html
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