Want to contact us? click here to email the team
Where to send the butterflies? (Be sure to put them in a "crush-proof" container if possible)
ATTN: Dr. Sean Ryan
717 Carlisle Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Why do you need to collect the butterflies?
In order to get DNA, we have to collect a few individuals from each population. While reporting butterfly sightings can help increase our understanding of where species live and when they are active (and we strongly encourage people to participate in these types of projects as well), if we want to know what is allowing organisms to live in different environments, let alone predict how they will respond to environmental changes, we need to collect some DNA (genetic information). Simply, by extracting a little DNA from butterflies collected from across their entire range, we will have the power to find the "genes" (genetic variation) that allow this butterfly to live where it does, including your backyard!
What will we do with the butterflies?
We carefully extract DNA from each of the butterflies and use cutting edge tools to sequence the genetic code of each butterfly. We will also photograph each butterfly to learn how the morphology (size and color) of this species changes as it moves into new environments.
What will knowing the genetic sequences of these butterflies tell us?
So many things. The genetic "code" of organisms contain an almost infinite amount of information about that organism, from how well that individual in your backyard is connected to those across the world, to what genes might be helping it adapt to changes in its environment, and even what microbes and parasites are living within and on that individual, and much, much more.
What do you do with the data?
We believe in open science, so all data will be made publicly available to anyone who wants it, including you! We believe that by sharing our data with the world, we will learn much more than if we kept it to ourselves. Of course we will also answer many important questions about how species adapt to environmental change (click here to learn more).
Where to send the butterflies? (Be sure to put them in a "crush-proof" container if possible)
ATTN: Dr. Sean Ryan
717 Carlisle Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Why do you need to collect the butterflies?
In order to get DNA, we have to collect a few individuals from each population. While reporting butterfly sightings can help increase our understanding of where species live and when they are active (and we strongly encourage people to participate in these types of projects as well), if we want to know what is allowing organisms to live in different environments, let alone predict how they will respond to environmental changes, we need to collect some DNA (genetic information). Simply, by extracting a little DNA from butterflies collected from across their entire range, we will have the power to find the "genes" (genetic variation) that allow this butterfly to live where it does, including your backyard!
What will we do with the butterflies?
We carefully extract DNA from each of the butterflies and use cutting edge tools to sequence the genetic code of each butterfly. We will also photograph each butterfly to learn how the morphology (size and color) of this species changes as it moves into new environments.
What will knowing the genetic sequences of these butterflies tell us?
So many things. The genetic "code" of organisms contain an almost infinite amount of information about that organism, from how well that individual in your backyard is connected to those across the world, to what genes might be helping it adapt to changes in its environment, and even what microbes and parasites are living within and on that individual, and much, much more.
What do you do with the data?
We believe in open science, so all data will be made publicly available to anyone who wants it, including you! We believe that by sharing our data with the world, we will learn much more than if we kept it to ourselves. Of course we will also answer many important questions about how species adapt to environmental change (click here to learn more).
