What is it?
Spot the Monk is a monitoring project, launched in 2019 by Elena Valsecchi of the Marine eDNA Group of the University of Milano Bicocca, based on a molecular approach for a non-invasive detection of the monk seal presence by means of environmental DNA analysis.
Spot the Monk Observatory
Embark on a journey of exploration and conservation with Spot the Monk. We invite you to delve into the fascinating world of the Mediterranean monk seal, an enigmatic species that calls our azure waters home.
How it works?
From the sea to dna
Uncover ocean secrets with eDNA—from water to DNA, our filter reveals a hidden world. Specific assays act as genetic magnets, pinpointing rare species like the elusive monk seal.
Monk Seal through eDNA
Join the conservation mission using advanced eDNA tech. From sea water to monk seal identification, discover how genetic precision safeguards marine biodiversity.
Real-Time Data Display
Witness the dynamic world of monk seals through our real-time data display, an up-to-date overview of the evidence of monk seal distribution in the Mediterranean
Spot the Monk Observatory
Spot the Monk is not just an observatory; we are a community-driven force for marine conservation using an innovative approach for a non-invasive detection of monk seal presence by means of environmental DNA analysis.
Proudly operating within the University of Milano Bicocca where the technique was developed and has been supported since its beginning (2019) by Gruppo Foca Monaca , our project stands at the forefront of Citizen Science. Through the collaborative efforts of researchers, students, and passionate individuals like you, we aim to shed light on the elusive monk seal population in the Mediterranean.
Spot the Monk in numbers
537
Total number of samples displayed
412
Total number of samples analysed
144
Total number of positive samples
49
Nocturnal samples
37
Total number of associations involved
100
Total number of collaborators involved
18 june 2018
Oldest sample in data file
14 August 2024
Date of collection of the most recent sample in the database