Species, Spiders, and Science: UIndy Research Team Joins the BioBlitz at Eagle Marsh
This past May, a team of UIndy Biology students joined Dr. Marc Milne for the Eagle Marsh BioBlitz sponsored by the Indiana Academy of Science.
The BioBlitz is a collaborative, field-based biodiversity survey conducted by students, professors, and other volunteers from around the state. Over the course of 24 hours, several teams collect and document as many organisms of their chosen taxonomic speciality as possible. Dr. Milne led his research students on the spider team.
They were joined by two macro-photographers, who assisted with visually identifying spider species. The team also conducted net sweeping and litter sifting to collect specimens to be brought back to the lab and identified through other methods.
“The goal is to find and document as many species as we can that live at Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve,” explained Dr. Milne. “This helps with documenting species that have not been recorded in Indiana before, and then occasionally we come across undescribed species as well that are new to science.”
The five students who joined Dr. Milne at BioBlitz all work in his lab, where they conduct research for their Honors and capstone projects.
“During the BioBlitz, I got to learn more about not only spiders, but so many other organisms,” said Reese Hoover ’26 (Biology, Pre-Med). “I really enjoyed the sense of community that was felt there. Getting to know other members of the spider team, as well as people from the other taxon teams, created a wonderful environment for learning. Everyone was excited and happy to be there! It was a really fun time, and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it!”
Participating in the BioBlitz gave students a chance to step outside of the lab and into the environments they study. Out in the field, they were able to apply techniques learned in the classroom and lab to a real-world setting, deepening their understanding of biodiversity and ecological research. The experience also gave them a broader view of scientific collaboration, connecting their academic work to ongoing conversations in conservation.
“The BioBlitz was truly an amazing experience,” said Holly LaFlair ’26 (Biology). “I enjoyed meeting other types of biologists and hearing about their experiences. At first, it was a bit intimidating being around spider experts, but I realized that we all share the same passion, and it was a lot of fun to connect with them.”
“The BioBlitz connected to my coursework because I got to experience the fieldwork and collection side of research work,” said Taylor Stahl ’26 (Biology). “I normally work in the lab doing DNA extraction, so seeing and doing the parts that are normally done before I get to the spiders is always interesting. I would love to do research work similar to what we did at the BioBlitz in my future career, so gaining more experience and making connections that can help me narrow down what I want to do, or even just help me grow professionally, was really nice.”
The work doesn’t stop in the field. In September, the team will come back together for an “ID party,” during which they will work on identifying the specimens they collected in Eagle Marsh and begin the process of formally documenting their findings.
“Spiders play an important role in ecosystems, and there are a lot of spider groups that are threatened and even endangered,” said Dr. Milne. “Eagle Marsh is a wetland, and wetlands are rapidly disappearing from the U.S. When we lose wetlands, we also lose the birds, the mammals, the plants, and the invertebrates that live in those wetlands. So documenting species in preserves like Eagle Marsh will give us a better idea of what we could be losing. So there’s a large conservation aspect to the BioBlitz as well. We have to document what’s there to know how to conserve them.”
Through real-world projects like the BioBlitz, UIndy students not only gain valuable research experience but also a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems they study and a glimpse into how their work can make a real impact.