Published 28 June 2024 at 12.29
Domestic. During an inventory of the benthic fauna in Swedish lakes and waterways, the researchers discovered a new species of mosquito and 14 new species of diatoms that were previously unknown.
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The species were discovered in the research project Freshbar's work to further develop the DNA reference library of freshwater organisms with the aim of creating tools for monitoring biodiversity.
The feather mosquito has Procladius exilis Brodin 2024 as its working name, but for the newly discovered diatoms nothing has yet been decided – but work is in progress with an official description.
The purpose of the research project was to develop methods where the DNA of organisms in water are captured and identified. The goal is to create an eDNA library to monitor and protect biodiversity, where just by looking for traces of DNA we can see how a habitat is doing and developing.
− The DNA results that we took developed in the project can already be used for both taxonomic research and to develop new monitoring methods, which is very gratifying, says Maria Kahlert, research leader for Freshbar, in a statement.
Freshbar is one of eight research projects focusing on development of DNA methods for the national environmental monitoring. The project was financed by the Environmental Protection Agency's environmental research grant in collaboration with the Norwegian Sea and Water Authority.