Scientists may solve the mystery of Loch Ness monster with DNA

SCIENTISTS COULD finally solve the mystery of the Loch Ness monster as they carry out a thorough investigation of the loch’s waters.

A global team of scientists, known as the Super Natural History team, will use environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling of the waters to identify tiny DNA remnants left behind by life in the Highlands loch.

They will then establish a detailed list of all life living in Loch Ness and make comparisons between it and several other lochs to find if it differs from other sites. As creatures move through the loch, they leave tiny fragments of DNA through their skin, scales, feathers, fur, faeces and urine.

The study is being led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, New Zealand.

He said he will be surprised if there is any evidence of DNA sequences similar to those likely to come from a large extinct marine reptile, the so called “Jurassic hypothesis”, but is open-minded about what they might find.

He said: “Large fish like catfish and sturgeons have been suggested as possible explanations for the monster myth and we can very much test that idea and others.

“While the prospect of looking for evidence of the Loch Ness monster is the hook to this project, there is an extraordinary amount of new knowledge that we will gain from the work about organisms that inhabit Loch Ness.”