Asset Details
Do you wish to reserve the book?
An Observatory to monitor range extension of the Mediterranean monk seal based on its eDNA traces: collecting data and delivering results in the “Open Science” era
Hey, we have placed the reservation for you!
By the way, why not check out events that you can attend while you pick your title.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place the reservation. Kindly try again later.
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
An Observatory to monitor range extension of the Mediterranean monk seal based on its eDNA traces: collecting data and delivering results in the “Open Science” era
Do you wish to request the book?
An Observatory to monitor range extension of the Mediterranean monk seal based on its eDNA traces: collecting data and delivering results in the “Open Science” era
Please be aware that the book you have requested cannot be checked out. If you would like to checkout this book, you can reserve another copy
We have requested the book for you!
Your request is successful and it will be processed during the Library working hours. Please check the status of your request in My Requests.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place your request. Kindly try again later.
Journal Article
An Observatory to monitor range extension of the Mediterranean monk seal based on its eDNA traces: collecting data and delivering results in the “Open Science” era
2024
Overview
The monk seal is the most endangered pinniped in the world and the only one found in the Mediterranean, where its distribution and abundance have suffered a drastic decline in the last few decades. Data on its status are scattered due to both its rarity and evasiveness and records are biased towards occasional, mostly coastal encounters. Nowadays, molecular techniques allow us to detect and quantify minute amounts of DNA traces released into the environment (eDNA) by any organism. A species-specific molecular assay is now available for detecting the recent presence of the monk seal in the water column through the analysis of sea-water samples collected from the sea surface. The project “Spot the Monk” uses this non-invasive detection tool to monitor monk seal occurrence in Mediterranean waters by means of eDNA analysis. The simplicity in the acquisition of samples together with the need to collect samples in multiple points simultaneously made the project well suited to the involvement of the general public. Up to today, about 350 samples have been collected and analysed in the central-western Mediterranean by researchers and a multifarious range of citizen scientists - from recreational sailing organisations, both amateur and competitive sportsmen, to fishermen. This work announces the launch of an open-source Observatory (https://www.spot-the-monk-observatory.com/) where the project outcomes are publicly accessible as soon as they are produced. Embracing the principles of Open Science, we believe that such an approach can contribute to filling the knowledge gap about the distribution of this charismatic species in our seas, providing, at the same time, a proof of concept on how data collected by a variety of actors can be returned to the scientific and non-scientific communities in an innovative format for immediate consultation.
Publisher
Pensoft Publishers
Subject
