Since the environmental DNA proficiency test scheme was introduced in 2017, Fera have participated in each of the rounds and this year scored another perfect result. All 10 blind samples, which included positive, negative and inhibited results, were correctly identified. The environmental DNA proficiency test allows Natural England to understand the performance of UK laboratories…
Our quality assurance and experience make us the partner of choice for ecologists needing accurate and timely results. Our eDNA analysis adheres to Natural England’s protocol, so you can trust in our results. Why is proficiency testing important? Proficiency testing is an essential part of laboratory quality procedure, designed to provide evidence of the robustness…
Great crested newt adults are easily distinguished from the two other native newt species, the smooth and palmate newts, found in Britain today. The great crested newt is the UK’s largest newt, reaching a maximum adult overall length of about 170mm, although size varies between populations. Mature female lengths range from 90-170mm, typically reaching 110-130mm….
Following a period of dormancy between October and March, the newt breeding season starts immediately. Adult great crested newts mature the eggs and sperm they will need for the next year in the previous summer and autumn. Females lay around 250 eggs between March and July wrapping each egg in a folded leaf underwater. Adult…
Natural England’s March 2016 EPS mitigation licensing newsletter makes reference to great crested newt eDNA and degradation control but not everyone holds a degree in molecular biology. So what is the degradation control? And why is it important labs do this correctly when testing for newts? Degradation controls As specified in Appendix 2 of the…