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Other Species
Detection or identification of species from:
Biological Samples or Water Samples
Biological Samples
Send us biological samples and we’ll analyse and tell you the origin.
Biological samples include: plant tissue, hair, droppings, carcass, fresh feather/eggshell or an unknown source.
Forensic Ecology Kit for Biological Samples
We provide our sample kits separately to the cost of analysis.
Send samples in any suitable sealed container or alternatively use our Forensic Ecology Kits. Our kits includes everything required to collect a sample and include delivery to you and return back to the lab.
- Forensic Ecology Kit – £15 ex. VAT
Here are our routine targets from Biological Samples:
Plants
Many invasive and ecologically important plants can be difficult to identify, particularly at times of the year when they are not flowering. Our plant identification service uses molecular techniques including PCR and DNA sequencing to determine the origin of your plant material down to the species* or genus level. Important for insurance, mortgage providers, environmental agencies as well as ecologists in plant conservation.
- Sample type: leaf, flower, root, bud.
Common targets include Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed, water primrose and Himalyan Balsam.
Read our whitepaper here.
Plants
Pine Marten
Pine Martens can be difficult to track in the wild, but using evidence of their presence such as droppings can be useful in determining the location of a population.
- Sample type: dropping, hair, carcass.
Pine Marten
Water Vole
Water voles can be difficult to survey using traditional methods, often requiring the use of invasive techniques. However, this species can also be detected using non-invasive sampling if droppings are present. Enquire about our water vole Forensic Ecology service for more information.
(note: eDNA analysis of water samples is currently under development for water vole. Samples need to be sample types below)
- Sample type: dropping, hair, carcass.
Water Vole
Otter
Using evidence left behind by otters we can identify their presence in an ecosystem using molecular methods. Send in your suspected otter samples today for a definitive determination of their identity.
- Sample type: dropping, spraint, hair, carcass.
Otter
Squirrel
Our Forensic Ecology service can determine the presence of either red or grey squirrels from an ecological sample such as hair or droppings.
- Sample type: dropping, hair, carcass.
Squirrel
Analysis of Biological Samples
For analysis of biological samples for any targets including the species above we offer two tier of service:
- Standard- £90 per analysis 10 working days
- Fast Track- £120 per analysis 5 working days
Previous analyses
As biological matter is predominantly one species, we can utilise genetic sequencing, therefore we can identify the majority of species. In the past, we have identified…
From faeces: bats, mice, otters, pine martens, stoats, all sorts of bird species and even brown bears!
From hair: badgers, dogs, cats, rabbits, hare, squirrels.
We have also worked on a number of samples from unknown origin including the identification of cat and human urine deposits as part of an insurance claim and assessed owl pellets for diet content.
Water Samples
Find your target species from a body of water including ponds, streams & rivers.
Forensic Ecology Kit for Water Samples
We provide our sample kits separately to the cost of analysis.
Order your forensic ecology kits for water samples here which includes a crucial DNA spike and preservative. Each kit includes everything required to collect a water sample.
- Forensic Ecology Kit for Ponds – £25 ex. VAT
Here are our routine targets from water samples:
Smooth Newt
Utilise eDNA to detect smooth newt in a pond.
Testing a pond for GCN? Why not look for smooth newt eDNA too using the same kit. This test can be added on to a GCN testfor £50 exc vat, just write in the notes of the sample collection form and we’ll analyse for both targets.
- Sample type: water
Smooth Newt
Marbled Crayfish
Marbled Crayfish
Demon Shrimp
Working alongside researchers from the University of Derby, we have developed an eDNA assay aimed at the detection of the demon shrimp, an ecologically damaging invasive species which is quickly spreading across the UK.
- Sample type: water
Demon Shrimp
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
This ecologically important species is now only found in a small selection of waterways in the UK. Our method has been validated through extensive research in collaboration with the University of Derby.
- Sample type: water
Read our whitepaper here.
Freshwater Pearl Mussel
Analysis of Water Samples
For eDNA analysis of water samples for targets above we offer standard turnaround times
- £140 per analysis 10 working days
Species not listed?
The species listed above are the routine targets we look for, however there are thousands more species we can detect. Get in contact to see if the assay for your target species has already been developed, and if it has we’ll be able to detect it for you.
Note: For species not listed we will need to buy the primers specifically for you, this make take a few days and will incur the cost price of the primers, this is a one off cost of approximately £120 depending on the target.
Assay not yet developed?
If an assay hasn’t already been developed, appoint our experts to design one for you using our Assay Design Service.
