title: Spider Web DNA: A New Spin on Noninvasive Genetics of Predator and Prey.
abstract: Noninvasive genetic sampling enables biomonitoring without the need to directly observe or disturb target organisms. This paper describes a novel and promising source of noninvasive spider and insect DNA from spider webs. Using black widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) fed with house crickets (Acheta domesticus), we successfully extracted, amplified, and sequenced mitochondrial DNA from spider web samples that identified both spider and prey to species. Detectability of spider DNA did not differ between assays with amplicon sizes from 135 to 497 base pairs. Spider and prey DNA remained detectable at least 88 days after living organisms were no longer present on the web. Spider web DNA as a proof-of-concept may open doors to other practical applications in conservation research, pest management, biogeography studies, and biodiversity assessments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Charles C Y
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ivy J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, Indiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Cameron R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001740:Black Widow Spider / Q000235:genetics*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005260:Female; D005349:Fibroins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004247:DNA; D005349:Fibroins