News Animals

A new DNA leaf swab technique could revolutionize how we monitor biodiversity

With only 72 minutes of work, researchers detected 52 animals in a tropical forest

A gloved hand swaps a green leaf.

Swabs from two dozen leaves in Uganda’s Kibale National Park let researchers genetically identify 52 animals in the forest.

Andreas Sachse

By Darren Incorvaia

Just a few swabs from a handful of leaves can say a lot about what animals are roaming in the area.

Two dozen leaf swabs from plants in Uganda’s Kibale National Park revealed a stunningly accurate genetic picture of the park’s vertebrate diversity, researchers report in the Aug.