DNA of witchetty grubs collected to discover different species eaten by Indigenous people
Updated
Researchers have been analysing the DNA of witchetty grubs to discover the different species eaten by Indigenous people. The team travelled to remote communities across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria to collect the larvae. They're hoping the project will help protect traditional knowledge about the grubs and the plants they live in.
Source: The World Today | Duration: 2min 31sec
Topics: invertebrates---insects-and-arachnids, science-and-technology, animal-science, genetics, dna, australia
Researchers have been analysing the DNA of witchetty grubs to discover the different species eaten by Indigenous people.
The team travelled to remote communities across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria to collect the larvae.
They're hoping the project will help protect traditional knowledge about the grubs and the plants in which they live.
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Conrad Bilney, PhD student, Latrobe University
Dr Michael Shackleton, biologist, Latrobe University
