Mapping animals using aerosols and eDNA
We are currently developing methods to map animal distributions from airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and environmental DNA (eDNA). Insects use VOCs to communicate, for example when ants lay pheromone trails. As they move around, they also shed cellular debris, including their DNA. In this project's approach we sample both, volatile organic compounds and eDNA from animals (and plants) to create maps of their distribution.
In the picture on the left you can see a map of pheromone trails from a simulation.