If you haven’t heard, eDNA testing is the latest, highly effective method for detecting the presence of great crested newts in ponds, which ultimately can save developers and ecologists precious time and money. Just taking some of the highlights from DEFRA’s detailed methodological studies, where newt occupancy was assessed on four occasions at 35 sites, newts…
Fera has participated in each round of the environmental DNA proficiency test scheme since it was introduced in 2017. After participating in the test this year, Fera has scored another perfectly compliant result in 2022 and is described as ‘fully compliant’. All 10 blind samples, which included positive, negative and inhibited results, were correctly identified….
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…