News
Marine Megafauna Foundation: Science with a Toothbrush
New study explains effective method for underwater-sampling of manta ray mucus as an alternative DNA source
DNA-based population studies help to understand population structure, connectivity and population sizes. Apart from land-based sampling at fish landing sites, manta ray tissue samples are typically collected underwater while scuba or free diving using hand spears with punch tips. But this technique may be discouraged in some areas where manta rays are an attraction for tourists, due to the perceived fear that the sampling activity may harm the rays or change their behaviour, thereby impacting the tourists’ manta ray encounter.
Marine Megafauna Foundation researchers explored alternative methods to obtain DNA by collecting body surface mucus from wild manta rays using a toothbrush. The advantages of utilizing this method include a reduction in sampling equipment, a significantly reduced impact on the manta ray and acceptance of a non-invasive sampling protocol by tourists in vibrant tourism areas.
This important new study demonstrates that DNA from manta ray mucus collected utilizing this method can reliably be used in PCR-based population genetic studies. This study is the first example involving underwater collection of mucus by scuba divers and was shown to be an effective, low-cost option to traditional sampling techniques. While this study was conducted on manta rays, it was the first to test the feasibility of this sampling method in the wild and the usefulness of mucus to genetic studies in elasmobranchs, creating new opportunities to apply this technique to other species within this group of threatened marine species.
For more information, View or download the full paper.
To find out more about the Marine Megafauna Foundation, visit www.marinemegafauna.org.
News
Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
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