Publication Date
3-18-2026
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the genetic material shed by organisms in the environment. It has emerged as a powerful resource for assessing biodiversity, particularly in aquatic settings. The application of eDNA methods in terrestrial environments is less developed, with researchers still exploring collection methods of eDNA from the air. One novel approach recently trialed is the use of spiderwebs, a passive, natural material whose sticky silk threads can capture tiny airborne particles, including eDNA. Here, we investigated the use of spiderwebs for airborne eDNA collection as part of a broader survey of biodiversity at the urban Ascot Hills Park in Los Angeles, California. Six spiderwebs were sampled from five native California plant species within a forest restoration site using sterile toothpicks, then taken for genomic DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing of the Cytochrome Oxidate I gene. Processed sequence reads were searched against a curated species database for taxonomic assignment, resulting in the detection of 30 species, ~60% which were undetected in parallel visual surveys. The findings highlight the potential for spiderweb-based eDNA sampling as a complementary approach to traditional biodiversity monitoring techniques.
Recommended Citation
Seid, Sabriya Ann; Gonzalez-Smith, Leonardo; Campos, Josephine; and Willette, Demian A.
(2026)
"Using Spiderwebs to Capture Airborne Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Detect Animal Biodiversity in an Urban Park,"
Cities and the Environment (CATE):
Vol. 19:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
DOI: 10.15365/1932-7048.1411
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cate/vol19/iss1/3
DOI
10.15365/1932-7048.1411
