Museum of Science and Industry

Despite what popular culture would have you expect, scientists almost never become supervillains. But sometimes a study comes along that makes you perk your ears up and reach for the Bat-Signal. Researchers in Copenhagen have pioneered a new method for DNA monitoring that’s as easy as taking candy from a baby, except instead of candy, it’s blood! And instead of a baby, it’s a hideous mass of leeches.

By collecting leeches and testing the blood in their tummies, researchers can get a basic survey of local mammal populations. In one experiment, leeches taken from the Vietnamese jungle proved to be carrying DNA from a rabbit species not seen there since 1996, allowing scientists to confirm the existence of a population they couldn’t directly observe. Researchers hope that this type of monitoring could also aid preservation efforts for endangered or near-endangered species that otherwise might be difficult to track. And that's all! That's all they want to do with their leech network. Sure.

We're watching you, Copenhagen.

Leeches Are DNA Bloodhounds in the Jungle [ScienceDaily]

Image: University of Copenhagen