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MIRI, Oct 14: Curtin University Malaysia detected the DNA traces of a common green iguana, an invasive species not native to Malaysia, in water samples collected on the university campus using environmental DNA technology (eDNA).
According to a statement by Curtin Malaysia University today, the discovery was amongst Curtin Malaysia's early participation in Curtin's global BioBlitz initiative, which brought together more than 100 students and researchers from the university's campuses in Perth, Singapore and Malaysia.
Overall, 26,572 DNA analyses successfully identified 572 unique species, thus showing the potential of eDNA technology in detecting biodiversity without relying entirely on direct observation.
The green iguana is believed to have originated from pets that were lost or released into the environment.
However, the discovery of DNA alone could not confirm its origin or prove that a living iguana is still on campus.
The head of Data Science at the Curtin School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Dr Samuel Thompson said that the process of species identification requires detailed analysis to distinguish real biological signals from data disruption, in addition to cross-checking with a global reference database.
"Each sample gives us thousands of tiny genetic clues, and the challenge is to differentiate between real signals and disturbances so that we can identify with certainty the life on our campus", he said.
He said the results of the study are also accessible to the public through eDNA Viewer platform, which allows students, staff and communities to explore species detected on each campus as well as compare biodiversity over time.
The study also found a variety of living species at Curtin's campuses in Perth, Australia and Singapore, including invasive freshwater torches in Perth's koi pond.
In Singapore, researchers identified several species including plantain squirrels, short-nosed fruit bats, common tree frogs, Asian brightly colored squid and invasive red-eared turtles.
Plantain squirrels are the most commonly spotted mammals on Singapore's campus, in 13 of 15 samples collected. The DNA of a small Asian nail fighter was also detected in a pool on campus.
Professor Paul Nevill, Head of BioBlitz and eDNA expert at Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the initiative not only expanded understanding of biodiversity on Curtin's global campus, but also provided practical experience for students in using environmental monitoring technology.
"This initiative builds a clearer picture of biodiversity on Curtin's global campus, while providing participants with first-hand experience using increasingly evolving technologies in the field of environmental conservation and monitoring", he said.
He said the technology also has applications in various fields including environmental impact assessment, urban planning, agriculture and corporate sustainability reporting.
The Chief Scientist of the Western Australian Conservation Council, Dr Elizabeth Brunton said that public engagement in environmental monitoring could yield important evidence for biodiversity and strengthen conservation efforts.
"People's participation in environmental monitoring produces valuable biodiversity evidence, thereby empowering communities with knowledge and voices to support biodiversity conservation", he said.
At Curtin Malaysia, Assistant Director of the Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratory (CARL), Dr Lee Yih Nin said that the discovery opens an opportunity to deepen our understanding of local ecosystems, as well as show the potential of biological monitoring technology in supporting research and biodiversity conservation across Borneo.
"This discovery not only enhances our understanding of local ecosystems, but also demonstrates the value of advanced biological monitoring technologies in supporting research and biodiversity conservation efforts across Borneo", he said.
The initiative continues the BioBlitz effort carried out at Curtin's campuses in Perth and Singapore in 2025, which has successfully identified over 3,000 unique species.
Curtin plans to expand the program to all six of its global campuses in the future to allow for more comprehensive biodiversity comparison and long-term monitoring of ecological change.
In addition to identifying species, the program aims to build biodiversity baseline data to help universities monitor ecological change, plan campus conservation efforts and provide students with exposure to the application of environmental science technology. - TVS
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