This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/05/loch-ness-monster-could-be-a-giant-eel-say-scientists
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, say scientists | Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, say scientists |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, according to a fishy new theory that will keep Highland tourists guessing. | The Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, according to a fishy new theory that will keep Highland tourists guessing. |
| In one of the biggest DNA studies of its kind, a team of scientists from New Zealand’s Otago University found the presence of about 3,000 species in the deep murky waters of the Scottish loch. | In one of the biggest DNA studies of its kind, a team of scientists from New Zealand’s Otago University found the presence of about 3,000 species in the deep murky waters of the Scottish loch. |
| Most of the creatures were very small, and while they did detect DNA from pigs, deer, sticklebacks and humans, there were no monsters. But Prof Neil Gemmell, who led the study, said he couldn’t rule out a theory that eels in the loch have grown to an extreme size. | Most of the creatures were very small, and while they did detect DNA from pigs, deer, sticklebacks and humans, there were no monsters. But Prof Neil Gemmell, who led the study, said he couldn’t rule out a theory that eels in the loch have grown to an extreme size. |
| “It is possible there are very large eels,” Gemmell told a packed press conference at the Loch Ness Centre at Drumnadrochit, “but it depends how big you think ‘large’ is.” | |
| The eel theory resurrects a possible explanation for “sightings” of the monster that date back to 1933, when the Inverness Courier first reported a “strange spectacle on Loch Ness”. | The eel theory resurrects a possible explanation for “sightings” of the monster that date back to 1933, when the Inverness Courier first reported a “strange spectacle on Loch Ness”. |
| In the decades since, there have been dozens of high-profile attempts to prove the existence of the monster. In 2003, the BBC funded an extensive search using 600 sonar beams, which turned up nothing. | In the decades since, there have been dozens of high-profile attempts to prove the existence of the monster. In 2003, the BBC funded an extensive search using 600 sonar beams, which turned up nothing. |
| Gemmell said the sheer volume of eel DNA surprised him and his team. And, maintaining a straight face, he added: “We don’t know if the eel DNA we are detecting is from a gigantic eel or just many small eels.” | Gemmell said the sheer volume of eel DNA surprised him and his team. And, maintaining a straight face, he added: “We don’t know if the eel DNA we are detecting is from a gigantic eel or just many small eels.” |
| Looking more sceptical, he outlined the theory: “The notion is that these eels would normally migrate to reproduce, but they, for whatever reason, don’t. And they continue to grow to a very large size, forgoing reproduction for growth.” | Looking more sceptical, he outlined the theory: “The notion is that these eels would normally migrate to reproduce, but they, for whatever reason, don’t. And they continue to grow to a very large size, forgoing reproduction for growth.” |
| He said, however, that no giant eels have ever been caught. And when it was pointed out that the record catch for a European eel is 5.38kg, Gemmell said: “It doesn’t sound like a monster, does it? But based on the evidence we’ve accumulated, we can’t exclude it as a possibility.” | He said, however, that no giant eels have ever been caught. And when it was pointed out that the record catch for a European eel is 5.38kg, Gemmell said: “It doesn’t sound like a monster, does it? But based on the evidence we’ve accumulated, we can’t exclude it as a possibility.” |
| One of the favourite Loch Ness monster theories is that it is an elasmosaurus or plesiosaur that somehow survived the extinction of the dinosaurs. | One of the favourite Loch Ness monster theories is that it is an elasmosaurus or plesiosaur that somehow survived the extinction of the dinosaurs. |
| Gemmell was more certain about ruling this out. “Is there a plesiosaur in Loch Ness? No. There is absolutely no evidence of any reptilian sequences. So I think we can be fairly sure that there is probably not a giant scaly reptile swimming around in Loch Ness.” | Gemmell was more certain about ruling this out. “Is there a plesiosaur in Loch Ness? No. There is absolutely no evidence of any reptilian sequences. So I think we can be fairly sure that there is probably not a giant scaly reptile swimming around in Loch Ness.” |
| His study sequenced DNA from 250 samples of Loch Ness water at a range of sites and depths. The nearest it found to dinosaur DNA was very distantly related amphibians such as toads and frogs. “We didn’t find crocodiles. We didn’t find lizards. We didn’t find adders,” Gemmell said. | His study sequenced DNA from 250 samples of Loch Ness water at a range of sites and depths. The nearest it found to dinosaur DNA was very distantly related amphibians such as toads and frogs. “We didn’t find crocodiles. We didn’t find lizards. We didn’t find adders,” Gemmell said. |
| The earliest recorded sighting of the monster was in 565AD by St Columba, but the modern phenomena starts when the Inverness Courier reports a "Strange Spectacle on Loch Ness", the first of what would go on to be thousands of newspaper articles about Nessie. | The earliest recorded sighting of the monster was in 565AD by St Columba, but the modern phenomena starts when the Inverness Courier reports a "Strange Spectacle on Loch Ness", the first of what would go on to be thousands of newspaper articles about Nessie. |
| Probably the most famous photograph of the monster, "the surgeon's photo" by RK Wilson, is taken. It shows a plesiosaur-like head and neck emerging from the water, and creates a nationwide stir in the press. | Probably the most famous photograph of the monster, "the surgeon's photo" by RK Wilson, is taken. It shows a plesiosaur-like head and neck emerging from the water, and creates a nationwide stir in the press. |
| Tim Dinsdale captures on film what he claims is the monster. However, analysis of the footage in 1984 proves conclusively that it was, in fact, just a fishing boat. | Tim Dinsdale captures on film what he claims is the monster. However, analysis of the footage in 1984 proves conclusively that it was, in fact, just a fishing boat. |
| The Loch Ness Investigation Bureau spends a decade Nessie-hunting, positioning still and movie cameras around the loch, and using other techniques including searchlights, infra-red cameras and submarines. They make strong unexplainable sonar contact with an object in 1962, and again in 1968. | The Loch Ness Investigation Bureau spends a decade Nessie-hunting, positioning still and movie cameras around the loch, and using other techniques including searchlights, infra-red cameras and submarines. They make strong unexplainable sonar contact with an object in 1962, and again in 1968. |
| The Nessie myth is by now fully embedded in popular culture, and the monster features in Doctor Who, where it is revealed to be an alien called a Skarasen. Four years earlier, The Goodies episode 'Scotland' revolves around the trio hunting for the beast to capture it for London Zoo. | The Nessie myth is by now fully embedded in popular culture, and the monster features in Doctor Who, where it is revealed to be an alien called a Skarasen. Four years earlier, The Goodies episode 'Scotland' revolves around the trio hunting for the beast to capture it for London Zoo. |
| The creature is given a scientific name in the journal Nature by Sir Peter Scott and Robert Rines - Nessiteras rhombopteryx. It takes a while for people to spot that it is an anagram of “Monster hoax by Sir Peter S”. | The creature is given a scientific name in the journal Nature by Sir Peter Scott and Robert Rines - Nessiteras rhombopteryx. It takes a while for people to spot that it is an anagram of “Monster hoax by Sir Peter S”. |
| Operation Deepscan uses a flotilla of 24 boats to scan the loch with sonar from end to end. It is unable to explain the strong sonar contacts it makes. | Operation Deepscan uses a flotilla of 24 boats to scan the loch with sonar from end to end. It is unable to explain the strong sonar contacts it makes. |
| Project Urquhart takes a complete hydrographic survey of the loch. A biological study as part of the project fails to turn up a monster, but does discover a previously unknown species of nematode. | Project Urquhart takes a complete hydrographic survey of the loch. A biological study as part of the project fails to turn up a monster, but does discover a previously unknown species of nematode. |
| "The surgeon photo" is finally exposed as a hoax - Christian Spurling reveals that his stepfather set it up using a toy submarine with a fake snake head attached. | "The surgeon photo" is finally exposed as a hoax - Christian Spurling reveals that his stepfather set it up using a toy submarine with a fake snake head attached. |
| There are 17 separate sightings of the monster - considered a record at the time. It is also, coincidentally, the same year that the Ted Danson-starring Loch Ness monster movie is released. | There are 17 separate sightings of the monster - considered a record at the time. It is also, coincidentally, the same year that the Ted Danson-starring Loch Ness monster movie is released. |
| The BBC funds an extensive search using 600 sonar beams. It turns up nothing. | The BBC funds an extensive search using 600 sonar beams. It turns up nothing. |
| Nessie hunting gets an internet-era makeover when a mysterious image is spotted in a satellite picture of the loch used on Google Earth. | Nessie hunting gets an internet-era makeover when a mysterious image is spotted in a satellite picture of the loch used on Google Earth. |
| Sonar finally locates a monster - but it is a prop of Nessie built for the 1969 movie The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes which had sunk to the bottom of the loch nearly fifty years previously. | Sonar finally locates a monster - but it is a prop of Nessie built for the 1969 movie The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes which had sunk to the bottom of the loch nearly fifty years previously. |
| "Sightings" continue to this day - anyone seeing the monster can register their sighting at lochnesssightings.com. The monster myth has become such big tourist business that nearby Drumnadrochit can support two competing Loch Ness attractions - Nessieland and the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. | "Sightings" continue to this day - anyone seeing the monster can register their sighting at lochnesssightings.com. The monster myth has become such big tourist business that nearby Drumnadrochit can support two competing Loch Ness attractions - Nessieland and the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. |
| Martin Belam | Martin Belam |
| The press conference had been called under slightly false pretences, Gemmell admitted. He said: “If you like, this has been a great big science con. We’ve been talking about science the entire time and we’re using the monsters as bait.” He said he hoped interest in the Loch Ness legend would raise the profile of environmental DNA research. | The press conference had been called under slightly false pretences, Gemmell admitted. He said: “If you like, this has been a great big science con. We’ve been talking about science the entire time and we’re using the monsters as bait.” He said he hoped interest in the Loch Ness legend would raise the profile of environmental DNA research. |
| “I came into this with a view that there probably wasn’t a monster,” he said. “I wanted to understand the biodiversity of Loch Ness and we’ve done that very well.” | “I came into this with a view that there probably wasn’t a monster,” he said. “I wanted to understand the biodiversity of Loch Ness and we’ve done that very well.” |
| Loch Ness monster picture is a fake, photographer admits | Loch Ness monster picture is a fake, photographer admits |
| Gemmell said the study would eventually provide a publicly available database of all the species in the loch, which could help gauge changes in biodiversity and the impact of invasive species such as pink salmon. | |
| “We’ve communicated science in a way which has been more compelling than perhaps most of the science I’ve been involved in in my prior career,” Gemmell said. “More people now know about environmental DNA than ever before, I would imagine, and I think that’s a good thing. Because we need these tools to be able to document what is living in places as, slowly but surely, our world becomes less special.” | |
| Gemmell was challenged about why the study had failed to detect the presence of otters or seals in Loch Ness. He said: “We may have missed things. But we found all the species we know are residents in Loch Ness in respect to fish.” | Gemmell was challenged about why the study had failed to detect the presence of otters or seals in Loch Ness. He said: “We may have missed things. But we found all the species we know are residents in Loch Ness in respect to fish.” |
| He added: “Like every other monster hunt there has been here at Loch Ness, we have found no definitive evidence of a monster. More and more studies providing more and more negative evidence cast more and more doubt on the possibility, but we can’t prove a negative.” | He added: “Like every other monster hunt there has been here at Loch Ness, we have found no definitive evidence of a monster. More and more studies providing more and more negative evidence cast more and more doubt on the possibility, but we can’t prove a negative.” |
| However, he denied that he had totally killed off the legend of the Loch Ness monster. “There’s still some level of uncertainty there, so there is still the opportunity for people to believe in monsters. Is it front page news? I don’t know. But we’ve captured some imaginations.” | |
| That will come as a relief to the tourist industry that has thrived on the banks of the loch ever since the earliest sightings, to the extent that nearby Drumnadrochit can support two competing Loch Ness attractions, Nessieland and the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. | That will come as a relief to the tourist industry that has thrived on the banks of the loch ever since the earliest sightings, to the extent that nearby Drumnadrochit can support two competing Loch Ness attractions, Nessieland and the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. |
| Science | Science |
| Scotland | Scotland |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |