PODPRITE NAS

eDiNA: Environmental DNA for Individual and Population Level Monitoring of a Marine Top Predator

Project Name: eDiNA: eDiNA: Environmental DNA for Individual and Population Level Monitoring of a Marine Top Predator
Funding: Slovenian Research And Innovation Agency (ARIS)
Public call: Public Call for the (co-)financing of research projects in 2025
Project value: 0,94 FTE
Project duration: 1. 3. 2026 – 28. 2. 2029
Project role: Lead partner
Participating research organizations: Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society, Biotechnical Faculty – University of Ljubljana
Purpose of the Project: This project aims to explore the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for non-invasive genetic sampling and monitoring of marine apex predator populations.
Project description: The eDiNA project is investigating the potential use of environmental DNA as a non-invasive tool for the genetic study of marine predators at the top of food webs. Environmental DNA is genetic material that organisms leave behind in the environment, such as in seawater, and can be analyzed without direct contact with the animal. The project focuses on developing and testing methods for extracting genetic information from seawater samples and applying them to the study of marine mammal populations. Such approaches can significantly contribute to a better understanding of the biology, ecology, and conservation status of marine predators, as well as to the development of new methods for monitoring marine biodiversity.
Objectives of the Project:
  • development and testing of methods for non-invasive genetic sampling of marine predators using environmental DNA from seawater;
  • assessment of the potential use of environmental DNA for individual identification and the study of population genetic variability;
  • development of new genetic markers and analytical approaches for genetic analyses based on environmental DNA;
  • study of the population-genetic characteristics of dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste as a model species;
  • development of methods and recommendations for the use of environmental DNA in the research and monitoring of large marine predators;
  • contribution to a better understanding of the status of marine predator populations and to the development of new approaches for their research and conservation.
Project group:
Morigenos:
Biotechnical Faculty:
Project phases and their implementation
The project is divided into five work packages and is carried out in several phases over a three-year period.