there. Given the success of
eDNA in documenting the
presence of animals, it is
quite plausible that an
eDNA study could document
fish, molluscs or other
species not currently known
to be living in the loch.
Invasive species could be
among them – organisms we
urgently need to keep track
of. And we could also gain
important information on
the whereabouts and
movements of economically
valuable, rare or environ-
mentally sensitive species,
like various members of the
salmon family, or the
European sturgeon. In short,
the scientific pay-off for the
study will be substantial,
whether a monster is
discovered or not. “We
figured at the outset that we
would likely describe the
biodiversity of the loch. I
anticipate finding evidence
of all the fish species
previously reported, plus
perhaps some others that we
think may be present,”
Gemmell says. “We also
think we might find new
forms of bacteria and other
life, particularly in samples
from around methane seeps
in the loch and the fridge-
like depths 200m down.”
Nobody really expects to
discover evidence for a
creature that might be
regarded as similar to the
‘Loch Ness Monster’ of
popular lore. But much
remains to be learnt about
the biology and ecology of
Loch Ness and its
surrounding lochs and lakes.
If eDNA and questionsabout a monster help us to
investigate this subject and
learn more about the natural
world and how it functions,
then this has proved a most
worthwhile endeavour. 7[email protected]Dr Darren Naish is a
palaeontologist and science
writer. He is the author of a
number of books on
cryptozoology, including Hunting
Monsters: Cryptozoology And
The Reality Behind The Myths.
He tweets from @TetZoo.WEIRD SEISMIC ACTIVITY?
Loch Ness is located within a geological
fault known as the Great Glen, and
certain sections of it are still seismically
active. Perhaps minor earth tremors
are responsible for weird shapes in
the water and releases of bubbles that
witnesses have interpreted as sightings
of monsters.A STURGEON?
Sturgeons are slow-moving, bottom-
feeding fish that have a row of armour
plates along the spine, a pointed nose
and a sucker-like mouth. They can be
up to 7m long and are known to move
in and out of lakes and rivers according
to the season. Sturgeons could explain
some Nessie reports.SOME FLOATING VEGETATION?
Biologist Dr Denys Tucker argued that rotting
masses of vegetation might burst to the
loch’s surface and then be propelled along
at speed by the gases of decomposition.
Sightings of such events, he argued, might
explain monster reports. However, scarcely
any monster reports describe objects that
match his idea.Sonar reading of Loch Ness,
taken by a tour boat captain,
revealed a deeper section, which
some people think could be a
hiding place for Nessie.