Under the warm sun of April, biologists David Duffy and Jessica Farrell embark on a journey down the Matanzas River to document its aquatic life. The gentle flow of the river creates soothing ripples along Florida’s northeastern coast, while birds gracefully soar above, finding refuge in the lush mangroves that line the water’s edge. Despite its murky appearance, this river is teeming with diverse wildlife beyond just dolphins.
Sea turtles make brief appearances above water, easily missed if you’re not paying attention. Manatees gracefully dive beneath the surface, leaving subtle swirls that only trained eyes can detect. Even the most elusive creatures leave behind molecular traces of their existence - and it is these traces that Farrell and Duffy are on a quest to uncover: DNA.
Date: 2024-11-14 09:00:00
Source: www.sciencenews.org