Curtin Malaysia’s first Global BioBlitz uncovers DNA traces of invasive green iguana

Miri, Sarawak – 14 October 2026 – An unexpected genetic clue on campus has put Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) on the biodiversity map, after environmental DNA (eDNA) testing detected traces of the invasive common green iguana in a water sample during the university’s debut participation in Curtin’s global BioBlitz initiative.

The finding highlights how environmental DNA technology can reveal the presence of wildlife that might otherwise go unnoticed, while helping researchers build a clearer picture of biodiversity across urban and campus ecosystems.

The 2026 BioBlitz brought together more than 100 students and researchers across Curtin’s campuses in Perth, Singapore and Malaysia. By analysing genetic material that organisms shed into their surroundings, participants identified 572 unique species from 26,572 distinct DNA sequences, demonstrating the potential of eDNA-based monitoring to uncover biodiversity without relying solely on direct sightings.

At Curtin Malaysia, the detection of common green iguana DNA is particularly noteworthy because the species is not native to Malaysia. The animals are believed to have originated from escaped or released pets, although the DNA finding alone does not establish its source or confirm that any live iguanas remain on campus.

The results offer a striking example of how genetic traces in the environment can flag potential ecological concerns and help inform future monitoring efforts.

The survey also uncovered a range of unexpected findings across Curtin’s Perth and Singapore campuses, illustrating the diversity of wildlife sharing university environments.

In Perth, researchers detected an invasive freshwater jellyfish in a koi pond. Singapore’s findings included a lesser short-nosed fruit bat, common tree shrew, Asian glossy starling, pied imperial-pigeon and invasive red-eared slider turtles.

The plantain squirrel emerged as the most frequently detected mammal in Singapore, appearing in 13 of the 15 campus samples. Researchers also detected environmental DNA from the Asian small-clawed otter in a campus pond, one of the survey’s more surprising results.

Turning these genetic traces into a reliable species inventory required extensive analysis and validation.

Dr. Samuel Thompson, data science lead from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the team had to carefully distinguish genuine biological signals from background noise and cross-check findings against global reference databases.

“Every sample gives us thousands of tiny genetic fragments, and the challenge is sorting the true signals from the noise so we can say with confidence what’s living on our campuses,” Dr Thompson said.

He added that the findings are publicly accessible through the eDNA Viewer, allowing students, staff and the wider community to explore species detected at each campus and compare biodiversity across Perth, Singapore and Malaysia over time.

Beyond identifying species, the BioBlitz is designed to establish a biodiversity baseline that can help Curtin track ecological changes, inform campus conservation and give students practical experience with emerging environmental technologies.

Professor Paul Nevill, BioBlitz lead and eDNA expert from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the initiative connects scientific discovery with real-world applications and future career opportunities.

“The initiative is building a clearer picture of biodiversity across Curtin’s global campuses while giving participants hands-on experience with a rapidly growing technology used in conservation, environmental impact assessment, urban planning, agriculture and corporate sustainability reporting,” Professor Nevill said.

Dr. Elizabeth Brunton, Citizen Science Lead at the Conservation Council of Western Australia, said the initiative demonstrates the value of public participation in biodiversity research.

“Public participation in environmental monitoring generates valuable biodiversity evidence, empowering communities with the knowledge and voice to advocate for biodiversity conservation,” Dr. Brunton said.

For Curtin Malaysia, participation marks another step towards integrating research, education and environmental stewardship, while equipping students and academics to apply emerging scientific tools to ecological challenges.

Dr. Lee Yih Nin, Assistant Director of the Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratory (CARL) at Curtin Malaysia, said the findings provide valuable opportunities to deepen understanding of local ecosystems and demonstrate how advanced biomonitoring technologies can support conservation efforts across Borneo.

“These findings not only improve our understanding of local ecosystems but also showcase the value of advanced biomonitoring tools in supporting biodiversity research and conservation efforts throughout Borneo,” Dr. Lee said.

The initiative builds on BioBlitz events held at Curtin’s Perth and Singapore campuses in 2025, which successfully detected more than 3,000 unique species. Curtin plans to expand the programme to all six of its global campuses in the future, creating opportunities for broader biodiversity comparisons and longer-term environmental monitoring.

By revealing the genetic traces of wildlife hidden in everyday surroundings, Curtin’s global BioBlitz demonstrates how a small environmental sample can contribute to a much bigger picture of biodiversity, and help universities turn scientific discoveries into meaningful conservation action.

For more information about Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Analysis of 26,572 distinct DNA sequences collected across Curtin’s Perth, Singapore and Malaysia campuses identified 572 unique species.

Environmental DNA from the invasive common green iguana was detected in a water sample at Curtin Malaysia. Credit Adobe Stock

Red-eared slider turtle in Singapore. Credit Adobe Stock

Craspedacusta sowerbii, an invasive freshwater jellyfish detected in a Perth koi pond. Credit Adobe Stock

Plantain squirrel, identified in 13 of 15 campus samples in Singapore. Credit Adobe Stock

Asian small-clawed otter DNA was detected in a campus pond in Singapore. Credit Adobe