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De Smedt S, Bogaerts A, De Meeter N, Dillen M, Engledow H, Van Wambeke P, Leliaert F, Groom Q. Ten lessons learned from the mass digitisation of a herbarium collection. PHYTOKEYS 2024; 244:23-37. [PMID: 38988594 PMCID: PMC11233984 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.244.120112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Worldwide, herbaria maintain collections of reference specimens representing global plant diversity. These collections are a valuable resource for fundamental botanical research and applied scientific research across various disciplines, and play a significant role in addressing major societal challenges such as biodiversity conservation. The digitisation of herbarium specimens and their online dissemination is one of the most important recent developments in the curation of these collections. Digitisation significantly enhances access to the collections for the research community and facilitates large-scale analysis of biodiversity data. Digitisation also provides a means for preserving the physical specimens, as it reduces the need for handling and transportation. Rapid technological developments have greatly accelerated the rate of databasing and digital imaging of collections. Meise Botanic Garden recently completed a six-year project to mass digitise its herbarium collections of about 3 million specimens mounted on sheets and through this process we have learned valuable lessons. We have captured our experience in 10 recommendations for other collection-holding institutions to take inspiration from as they start planning their own digitisation efforts. We also present case studies where we delve deeper into certain topics as examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie De Smedt
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Ann Bogaerts
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Niko De Meeter
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Mathias Dillen
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Henry Engledow
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Paul Van Wambeke
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Frederik Leliaert
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
| | - Quentin Groom
- Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium Meise Botanic Garden Meise Belgium
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Stadnicka-Futoma A, Nobis M. Geographical-Historical Analysis of the Herbarium Specimens Representing the Economically Important Family Amaranthaceae ( Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae Clade) Collected in 1821-2022 and Preserved in the Herbarium of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:435. [PMID: 38927315 PMCID: PMC11201225 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Herbaria constitute a form of documentation, store and secure comparative material, as well as constitute an extra original gene bank. They are an invaluable database among others for the biological, ethnobotanical and agricultural sciences. The digitization of herbarium collections significantly facilitates access to archival materials; however, searching them is still time-consuming. Therefore, our work aims to analyze the herbarium collection of 8801 sheets for specimens representing the economically important family Amaranthaceae (Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae clade) deposited the oldest herbarium in Poland, the herbarium of the Jagiellonian University (KRA). These specimens have been collected from almost all the continents in dozens of countries for over 200 years. The analyses conducted, including the taxonomic coverage, geographical characteristics and origin, temporal coverage and utility importance of representative species, present the discussed resources in a more accessible way and may become a more attractive form for scientists potentially interested in more advanced research work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Stadnicka-Futoma
- Department of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry and Hydrology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Environment Management and Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, ul. Zelwerowicza 8b, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Marcin Nobis
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
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Onyango B, Copeland R, Mbogholi J, Wamalwa M, Kibet C, Tonnang HEZ, Senagi K. WiPFIM: A digital platform for interlinking biocollections of wild plants, fruits, associated insects, and their molecular barcodes. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11457. [PMID: 38826163 PMCID: PMC11143469 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The current knowledge on insects feeding on fruits is limited, and some of the scarce existing data on the fruit-associated insects are secluded within the host institutions. Consequently, their value is not fully realized. Moreover, in countries like Kenya, the integration of biocollections data within a digital framework has not been fully exploited. To address these gaps, this article presents a description of the development of a web-based platform for data sharing and integrating biodiversity historical data of wild plants, fruits, associated insects, and their molecular barcodes (WiPFIM) while leveraging data science technologies. The barcodes corresponding to the biocollections data were retrieved from BOLD database. The platform is an online resource about fruit-insect interactions that can be of interest to a worldwide community of users and can be useful in building innovative tools. The platform is accessible online at https://test-dmmg.icipe.org/wpfhi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonface Onyango
- Data Management, Modeling and Geo‐Information (DMMG) UnitInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyNairobiKenya
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology DepartmentPwani UniversityKilifiKenya
| | - Robert Copeland
- Data Management, Modeling and Geo‐Information (DMMG) UnitInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyNairobiKenya
| | - John Mbogholi
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology DepartmentPwani UniversityKilifiKenya
| | - Mark Wamalwa
- Data Management, Modeling and Geo‐Information (DMMG) UnitInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyNairobiKenya
| | - Caleb Kibet
- Data Management, Modeling and Geo‐Information (DMMG) UnitInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyNairobiKenya
| | - Henri E. Z. Tonnang
- Data Management, Modeling and Geo‐Information (DMMG) UnitInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyNairobiKenya
| | - Kennedy Senagi
- Data Management, Modeling and Geo‐Information (DMMG) UnitInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyNairobiKenya
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Goudard L, Blaudez D, Sirguey C, Purwadi I, Invernon V, Rouhan G, van der Ent A. Prospecting for rare earth element (hyper)accumulators in the Paris Herbarium using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy reveals new distributional and taxon discoveries. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:573-584. [PMID: 38310542 PMCID: PMC11037481 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly crucial for modern technologies. Plants could be used as a biogeochemical pathfinder and a tool to extract REEs from deposits. However, a paucity of information on suitable plants for these tasks exists. METHODS We aimed to discover new REE-(hyper)accumulating plant species by performing an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) survey at the Herbarium of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN, Paris, France). We selected specific families based on the likelihood of containing REE-hyperaccumulating species, using known taxa that accumulate REEs. A total of 4425 specimens, taken in the two main evolutionary lineages of extant vascular plants, were analysed, including the two fern families Blechnaceae (n = 561) and Gleicheniaceae (n = 1310), and the two flowering plant families Phytolaccaceae (n = 1137) and Juglandaceae (n = 1417). KEY RESULTS Yttrium (Y) was used as a proxy for REEs for methodological reasons, and a total of 268 specimens belonging to the genera Blechnopsis (n = 149), Dicranopteris (n = 75), Gleichenella (n = 32), Phytolacca (n = 6), Carya (n = 4), Juglans (n = 1) and Sticherus (n = 1) were identified with Y concentrations ranging from the limit of detection (LOD) >49 µg g-1 up to 1424 µg g-1. Subsequently, analysis of fragments of selected specimens by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) revealed that this translated to up to 6423 µg total REEs g-1 in Dicranopteris linearis and up to 4278 µg total REEs g-1 in Blechnopsis orientalis which are among the highest values ever recorded for REE hyperaccumulation in plants. It also proved the validity of Y as an indicator for REEs in XRF analysis of herbarium specimens. The presence of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) was also studied by XRF in the selected specimens. Mn was detected in 1440 specimens ranging from the detection limit at 116 µg g-1 up to 3807 µg g-1 whilst Zn was detected in 345 specimens ranging from the detection limit at 77 µg g-1 up to 938 µg g-1. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This study led to the discovery of REE accumulation in a range of plant species, substantially higher concentrations in species known to be REE hyperaccumulators, and records of REE hyperaccumulators outside of the well-studied populations in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léo Goudard
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, LSE, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Damien Blaudez
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LIEC, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Imam Purwadi
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Vanessa Invernon
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Germinal Rouhan
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Antony van der Ent
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, LSE, F-54000, Nancy, France
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Wu R, Zou Y, Liao S, Shi K, Nan X, Yan H, Luo J, Xiang Z, Bao Z. Shall we promote natural history collection today?-Answered by reviewing Ernest Henry Wilson's plant collection process in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:170179. [PMID: 38246391 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Plant diversity exploration needs to be accelerated because many species will go extinct before their discovery and description, and many species-rich regions remain poorly studied. However, most contemporary plant collections prefer to focus on a specific group, which hinders the exploration and conservation of plant diversity. Therefore, we need an alternative approach to the dilemma at hand. The comprehensive Natural History Collection (NHC), which existed throughout the pinnacle of biodiversity exploration in the 20th century could be considered. We explore Ernest Henry Wilson's (one of the most successful naturalists in the 20th) plant collections in China as a case to illustrate the advantages of NHC and discuss whether NHC deserves to be promoted again today. From multiple sources, we gathered 19,218 available specimen records of 11,884 collecting numbers assigned and analyzed the collected species, the collection's nature, and restored four routes of his explorations. Results reveal that Wilson's specimens were collected from 28 prefecture-level cities and 38 county-level regions of 7 provinces or municipalities, they belong to 200 families, 1046 genera, 3794 species, and 342 infraspecific taxa, approximately 41 %, 22 %, 10 %, 5 % of Chinese plant families, genera, species, and infraspecific taxa respectively. The Wilson case study shows that NHC is particularly effective in emphasizing species discovery and conservation, recording ecological information, understanding a region's flora, and developing landscape applications. Therefore, we strongly advocate for the expansion of natural history collections in species-rich regions. Furthermore, we recommend the employment of specialized collectors, the enlistment of international cooperation, and the standardization of guidelines for future NHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renwu Wu
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
| | - Yongxi Zou
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Shuai Liao
- South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Ke Shi
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Xinge Nan
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Hai Yan
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Jifan Luo
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Zhoubing Xiang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Zhiyi Bao
- College of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
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Patten NN, Gaynor ML, Soltis DE, Soltis PS. Geographic And Taxonomic Occurrence R-based Scrubbing (gatoRs): An R package and workflow for processing biodiversity data. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2024; 12:e11575. [PMID: 38638614 PMCID: PMC11022233 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Premise Digitized biodiversity data offer extensive information; however, obtaining and processing biodiversity data can be daunting. Complexities arise during data cleaning, such as identifying and removing problematic records. To address these issues, we created the R package Geographic And Taxonomic Occurrence R-based Scrubbing (gatoRs). Methods and Results The gatoRs workflow includes functions that streamline downloading records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio). We also created functions to clean downloaded specimen records. Unlike previous R packages, gatoRs accounts for differences in download structure between GBIF and iDigBio and allows for user control via interactive cleaning steps. Conclusions Our pipeline enables the scientific community to process biodiversity data efficiently and is accessible to the R coding novice. We anticipate that gatoRs will be useful for both established and beginning users. Furthermore, we expect our package will facilitate the introduction of biodiversity-related concepts into the classroom via the use of herbarium specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie N. Patten
- Department of MathematicsUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
- Present address:
Department of MathematicsThe Ohio State UniversityColumbus43210OhioUSA
| | - Michelle L. Gaynor
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
| | - Douglas E. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
| | - Pamela S. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesville32611FloridaUSA
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Hightower AT, Chitwood DH, Josephs EB. Herbarium specimens reveal links between Capsella bursa-pastoris leaf shape and climate. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580180. [PMID: 38405842 PMCID: PMC10888959 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Studies into the evolution and development of leaf shape have connected variation in plant form, function, and fitness. For species with consistent leaf margin features, patterns in leaf architecture are related to both biotic and abiotic factors. However, for species with inconsistent leaf margin features, quantifying leaf shape variation and the effects of environmental factors on leaf shape has proven challenging. To investigate leaf shape variation in species with inconsistent shapes, we analyzed approximately 500 digitized Capsella bursa-pastoris specimens collected throughout the continental U.S. over a 100-year period with geometric morphometric modeling and deterministic techniques. We generated a morphospace of C. bursa-pastoris leaf shapes and modeled leaf shape as a function of environment and time. Our results suggest C. bursa-pastoris leaf shape variation is strongly associated with temperature over the C. bursa-pastoris growing season, with lobing decreasing as temperature increases. While we expected to see changes in variation over time, our results show that level of leaf shape variation is consistent over the 100-year period. Our findings showed that species with inconsistent leaf shape variation can be quantified using geometric morphometric modeling techniques and that temperature is the main environmental factor influencing leaf shape variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asia T Hightower
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, 612 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1226
- Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
- Plant Resilience Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1226
| | - Daniel H Chitwood
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, Michigan State University, 428 S Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
| | - Emily B Josephs
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, 612 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1226
- Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
- Plant Resilience Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1226
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Kühn P, Proß T, Römermann C, Wesche K, Bruelheide H. Using near-infrared spectroscopy to predict nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of herbarium specimens under different storage conditions. PLANT METHODS 2024; 20:19. [PMID: 38303074 PMCID: PMC10835964 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-024-01146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herbaria are becoming increasingly important as archives of biodiversity, and play a central role in taxonomic and biogeographic studies. There is also an ongoing interest in functional traits and the way they mediate interactions between a plant species and its environment. Herbarium specimens allow tracking trait values over time, and thus, capturing consequences of anthropogenic activities such as eutrophication. Here, we present an open, reproducible, non-destructive workflow to collect leaf trait data from herbarium specimens using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and a proof of concept for the reliability of this approach. RESULTS We carried out three experiments to test the suitability of non-destructive NIRS methods to predict leaf traits both for fresh and dried leaves: (1) With a fertilization experiment, we studied whether NIRS was able to capture changes in leaf N and leaf P during a fertilization experiment and we compared contents predicted by NIRS with results obtained from regular wet lab methods. Calibration models for leaf nitrogen and phosphorus contents had a quality of R2 = 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. We fitted calibration models for NIRS readings on fresh and dried leaf samples, both of which produced equally precise predictions compared to results from wet lab analyses. (2) We tested the effect of herbarium conservation on NIRS readings by simulating them through the application of six treatments combining freezing, drying and pesticide spraying in a factorial scheme and comparing these with untreated samples. No consistent changes were observed in the spectra quality before and after the simulated herbarium conditions. (3) Finally, we studied the effect of specimen storage duration using specimens from a 2018 study which were re-analyzed and compared with spectra obtained in 2021. No consistent changes in spectra were observed after the storage period. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the reliability of NIRS to measure leaf N and P on herbarium samples. Together with the calibration method and dataset presented here, they provide a toolset allowing researchers to study the development of leaf traits and their response to environmental changes over decades and even centuries in a fast and non-destructive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Kühn
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 16, 07743, Jena, Germany.
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tobias Proß
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christine Römermann
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 16, 07743, Jena, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Senckenberg Institute of Plant Form and Function Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Karsten Wesche
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Botany Department, Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, Am Museum 1, 02826, Görlitz, Germany
- International Institute Zittau, Technische Universität Dresden, Am Grünen Graben 23, 02826, Görlitz, Germany
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Mandrioli M. From Dormant Collections to Repositories for the Study of Habitat Changes: The Importance of Herbaria in Modern Life Sciences. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2310. [PMID: 38137911 PMCID: PMC10744909 DOI: 10.3390/life13122310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the advent of new technologies for massive and automatized digitization, together with the availability of new methods for DNA sequencing, strongly increased the interest and relevance of herbarium collections for the study of plant biodiversity and evolution. These new approaches prompted new projects aimed at the creation of a large dataset of molecular and phenological data. This review discusses new challenges and opportunities for herbaria in the context of the numerous national projects that are currently ongoing, prompting the study of herbarium specimens for the understanding of biodiversity loss and habitat shifts as a consequence of climate changes and habitat destruction due to human activities. With regard to this, the National Biodiversity Future Center (active in Italy since 2022) started a large-scale digitization project of the Herbarium Centrale Italicum in Florence (Italy), which is the most important Italian botanical collection, consisting of more than 4 million samples at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Mandrioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy
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10
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Quatela AS, Cangren P, Jafari F, Michel T, de Boer HJ, Oxelman B. Retrieval of long DNA reads from herbarium specimens. AOB PLANTS 2023; 15:plad074. [PMID: 38130422 PMCID: PMC10735254 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing of herbarium specimens' DNA with short-read platforms has helped explore many biological questions. Here, for the first time, we investigate the potential of using herbarium specimens as a resource for long-read DNA sequencing technologies. We use target capture of 48 low-copy nuclear loci in 12 herbarium specimens of Silene as a basis for long-read sequencing using SMRT PacBio Sequel. The samples were collected between 1932 and 2019. A simple optimization of size selection protocol enabled the retrieval of both long DNA fragments (>1 kb) and long on-target reads for nine of them. The limited sampling size does not enable statistical evaluation of the influence of specimen age to the DNA fragmentation, but our results confirm that younger samples, that is, collected after 1990, are less fragmented and have better sequencing success than specimens collected before this date. Specimens collected between 1990 and 2019 yield between 167 and 3403 on-target reads > 1 kb. They enabled recovering between 34 loci and 48 (i.e. all loci recovered). Three samples from specimens collected before 1990 did not yield on-target reads > 1 kb. The four other samples collected before this date yielded up to 144 reads and recovered up to 25 loci. Young herbarium specimens seem promising for long-read sequencing. However, older ones have partly failed. Further exploration would be necessary to statistically test and understand the potential of older material in the quest for long reads. We would encourage greatly expanding the sampling size and comparing different taxonomic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Quatela
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Center, Gothenburg, Box 463, 405 30, Sweden
| | - Patrik Cangren
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Farzaneh Jafari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lorestan University, P.O. BOX 6815144316, Khorramabad, Iran
- Department of Plant Science, Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6455, Tehran, Iran
| | - Thibauld Michel
- Tropical Diversity Research Department, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LRUK
| | - Hugo J de Boer
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bengt Oxelman
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 463, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Center, Gothenburg, Box 463, 405 30, Sweden
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Bisang I, Ehrlén J, Hedenäs L. Life-history characteristics and historical factors are important to explain regional variation in reproductive traits and genetic diversity in perennial mosses. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 132:29-42. [PMID: 36928083 PMCID: PMC10550275 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plants have evolved an unrivalled diversity of reproductive strategies, including variation in the degree of sexual vs. clonal reproduction. This variation has important effects on the dynamics and genetic structure of populations. We examined the association between large-scale variation in reproductive patterns and intraspecific genetic diversity in two moss species where sex is manifested in the dominant haploid generation and sex expression is irregular. We predicted that in regions with more frequent realized sexual reproduction, populations should display less skewed sex ratios, should more often express sex and should have higher genetic diversity than in regions with largely clonal reproduction. METHODS We assessed reproductive status and phenotypic sex in the dioicous long-lived Drepanocladus trifarius and D. turgescens, in 248 and 438 samples across two regions in Scandinavia with frequent or rare realized sexual reproduction, respectively. In subsets of the samples, we analysed genetic diversity using nuclear and plastid sequence information and identified sex with a sex-specific molecular marker in non-reproductive samples. KEY RESULTS Contrary to our predictions, sex ratios did not differ between regions; genetic diversity did not differ in D. trifarius and it was higher in the region with rare sexual reproduction in D. turgescens. Supporting our predictions, relatively more samples expressed sex in D. trifarius in the region with frequent sexual reproduction. Overall, samples were mostly female. The degree of sex expression and genetic diversity differed between sexes. CONCLUSIONS Sex expression levels, regional sex ratios and genetic diversity were not directly associated with the regional frequency of realized sexual reproduction, and relationships and variation patterns differed between species. We conclude that a combination of species-specific life histories, such as longevity, overall degree of successful sexual reproduction and recruitment, and historical factors are important to explain this variation. Our data on haploid-dominated plants significantly complement plant reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Bisang
- Department of Botany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Ehrlén
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Hedenäs
- Department of Botany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Papalini S, Di Vittori V, Pieri A, Allegrezza M, Frascarelli G, Nanni L, Bitocchi E, Bellucci E, Gioia T, Pereira LG, Susek K, Tenaillon M, Neumann K, Papa R. Challenges and Opportunities behind the Use of Herbaria in Paleogenomics Studies. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3452. [PMID: 37836192 PMCID: PMC10575153 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Paleogenomics focuses on the recovery, manipulation, and analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from historical or long-dead organisms to reconstruct and analyze their genomes. The aDNA is commonly obtained from remains found in paleontological and archaeological sites, conserved in museums, and in other archival collections. Herbarium collections represent a great source of phenotypic and genotypic information, and their exploitation has allowed for inference and clarification of previously unsolved taxonomic and systematic relationships. Moreover, herbarium specimens offered a new source for studying phenological traits in plants and for disentangling biogeography and evolutionary scenarios of species. More recently, advances in molecular technologies went in parallel with the decreasing costs of next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, which paved the way to the utilization of aDNA for whole-genome studies. Although many studies have been carried out combining modern analytic techniques and ancient samples, such as herbarium specimens, this research field is still relatively unexplored due to the need for improving strategies for aDNA manipulation and exploitation from ancient samples. The higher susceptibility of aDNA to degradation and contamination during herbarium conservation and manipulation and the occurrence of biochemical postmortem damage can result in a more challenging reconstruction of the original DNA sequence. Here, we review the methodological approaches that have been developed for the exploitation of historical herbarium plant materials, such as best practices for aDNA extraction, amplification, and genotyping. We also focus on some strategies to overcome the main problems related to the utilization of herbarium specimens for their exploitation in plant evolutionary studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Papalini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Valerio Di Vittori
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Alice Pieri
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Marina Allegrezza
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Giulia Frascarelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Laura Nanni
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Elena Bitocchi
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Elisa Bellucci
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
| | - Tania Gioia
- School of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy;
| | - Luis Guasch Pereira
- Spanish Plant Genetic Resources National Center, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (CRF-INIA-CSIC), 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain;
| | - Karolina Susek
- Legume Genomics Team, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 34, 60-479 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maud Tenaillon
- Génétique Quantitative et Evolution–Le Moulon, Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, CNRS, AgroParisTech, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France;
| | - Kerstin Neumann
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, 06466 Seeland, Germany;
| | - Roberto Papa
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (S.P.); (A.P.); (M.A.); (G.F.); (L.N.); (E.B.); (E.B.)
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13
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New and Noteworthy Taxa of the Genus Dactylorhiza Necker ex Nevski (Orchidaceae Juss.) in Kazakhstan Flora and Its Response to Global Warming. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15030369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
A critical study of the herbarium material representing the orchid genus Dactylorhiza Necker ex Nevski in Kazakhstan was conducted in 2019–2020. The information on the species composition was clarified. Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. hebridensis (Wilmott) Soó and D. × kerneri (Soó) Soó were identified for the first time in the country. New taxa were noted for individual botanical and geographical areas. All taxa were presented in the list and annotated with studied herbarium materials from the Kazakhstan area. Based on the collected and available locations for the studied taxa, distribution modeling was carried out for the four taxa (D. incarnata, D. majalis subsp. baltica, D. salina, and D. umbrosa). Bioclimatic data for the present and future (2041–2060) based on four possible scenarios were used. The occurrence of Dactylorhiza representatives in Kazakhstan is threatened by global climate warming. It is likely that some of them may not occur in the country in the future (D. incarnata and D. majalis subsp. baltica), losing up to 99.87% of their modern range or their range may be significantly reduced (D. salina and D. umbrosa), losing up to 80.83% of their present distribution. It is worth considering global changes in planning conservation activities and identifying areas that may play a significant role in the functioning of the national flora in the future.
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Jenny LA, Shapiro LR, Davis CC, Jonathan Davies T, Pierce NE, Meineke E. Herbarium specimens reveal herbivory patterns across the genus Cucurbita. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16126. [PMID: 36633920 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Quantifying how closely related plant species differ in susceptibility to insect herbivory is important for understanding the variation in evolutionary pressures on plant functional traits. However, empirically measuring in situ variation in herbivory spanning the geographic range of a plant-insect complex is logistically difficult. Recently, new methods have been developed using herbarium specimens to investigate patterns in plant-insect symbioses across large geographic scales. Such investigations provide insights into how accelerated anthropogenic changes may impact plant-insect interactions that are of ecological or agricultural importance. METHODS Here, we analyze 274 pressed herbarium samples to investigate variation in herbivory damage in 13 different species of the economically important plant genus Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae). This collection is composed of specimens of wild, undomesticated Cucurbita that were collected from across their native range, and Cucurbita cultivars collected from both within their native range and from locations where they have been introduced for agriculture in temperate North America. RESULTS Herbivory is common on individuals of all Cucurbita species collected throughout their geographic ranges. However, estimates of herbivory varied considerably among individuals, with mesophytic species accruing more insect damage than xerophytic species, and wild specimens having more herbivory than specimens collected from human-managed habitats. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that long-term evolutionary changes in habitat from xeric to mesic climates and wild to human-managed habitats may mediate the levels of herbivory pressure from coevolved herbivores. Future investigations into the potential factors that contribute to herbivory may inform the management of domesticated crop plants and their insect herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Jenny
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
| | - Lori R Shapiro
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, United States
| | - Charles C Davis
- Harvard University Herbaria, Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
| | - T Jonathan Davies
- Departments of Botany, and Forest & Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2028, South Africa
| | - Naomi E Pierce
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
| | - Emily Meineke
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, 95616, United States
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15
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Gavrilenko T, Chukhina I, Antonova O, Krylova E, Shipilina L, Oskina N, Kostina L. Comparative Analysis of the Genetic Diversity of Chilean Cultivated Potato Based on a Molecular Study of Authentic Herbarium Specimens and Present-Day Gene Bank Accessions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:174. [PMID: 36616303 PMCID: PMC9823414 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
At the end of the 1920s, Vavilov organized several potato-collecting missions in South and Central America. Vavilov and his colleagues, Juzepczuk and Bukasov, participated in these expeditions and worked on gathered material, designated two centers of potato varietal riches and diversity-the Peru-Bolivia high-mountain center and the southern coast of Chile. The WIR Herbarium holds authentic specimens of many taxa described by Russian taxonomists. Here, a set of 20 plastid DNA-specific markers was applied for 49 authentic herbarium specimens of Solanum tuberosum L. from the WIR Herbarium to analyze the genetic diversity of the landrace population collected by Juzepczuk in 1928 in southern-central Chile. Two plastid DNA types, T and A, and two chlorotypes were identified in herbarium specimens, with a clear predominance (96%) of chlorotype cpT_III. In addition, we analyzed 46 living Chilean accessions from the VIR field potato gene bank that were collected after the appearance of Phytophthora infestans in Chile. These living accessions were differentiated into four chlorotypes. Finding a D-type cytoplasm in living Chilean accessions that possess two new chlorotypes indicates a replacement of native cultivars and introgression from the wild Mexican species S. demissum that was actively used in breeding as a source of race-specific resistance to late blight.
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16
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Davis CC. The herbarium of the future. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 38:412-423. [PMID: 36549958 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The ~400 million specimens deposited across ~3000 herbaria are essential for: (i) understanding where plants have lived in the past, (ii) forecasting where they may live in the future, and (iii) delineating their conservation status. An open access 'global metaherbarium' is emerging as these specimens are digitized, mobilized, and interlinked online. This virtual biodiversity resource is attracting new users who are accelerating traditional applications of herbaria and generating basic and applied scientific innovations, including e-monographs and floras produced by diverse, interdisciplinary, and inclusive teams; robust machine-learning algorithms for species identification and phenotyping; collection and synthesis of ecological trait data at large spatiotemporal and phylogenetic scales; and exhibitions and installations that convey the beauty of plants and the value of herbaria in addressing broader societal issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles C Davis
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University Herbaria, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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17
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Williams TM, Hayes J, McDonnell AJ, Cantley JT, Jobson P, Martine CT. Solanumscalarium (Solanaceae), a newly-described dioecious bush tomato from Judbarra/Gregory National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. PHYTOKEYS 2022; 216:103-116. [PMID: 36761892 PMCID: PMC9836722 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.216.85972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A new species of functionally dioecious bush tomato of SolanumsubgenusLeptostemonum is described. Solanumscalarium Martine & T.M.Williams, sp. nov., is a member of the taxonomically challenging "Kimberley dioecious clade" in Australia and differs from other species in the group in its spreading decumbent habit and conspicuously prickly male floral rachis. The species is so far known from one site in Judbarra/Gregory National Park in the Northern Territory. Ex situ crosses and confirmation of inaperturate pollen grains produced in morphologically cosexual flowers indicate that these flowers are functionally female and the species is functionally dioecious. The scientific name reflects the ladder-like appearance of the inflorescence rachis armature of male individuals, the stone staircase that provides access to the type locality at the Escarpment Lookout Walk, and the importance of maintaining equitable and safe access to outdoor spaces. The common name Garrarnawun Bush Tomato is proposed in recognition of the lookout point at this site, a traditional meeting place of the Wardaman and Nungali-Ngaliwurru peoples whose lands overlap in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanisha M. Williams
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, USABucknell UniversityLewisburgUnited States of America
| | - Jonathan Hayes
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, USABucknell UniversityLewisburgUnited States of America
| | - Angela J. McDonnell
- Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, USANegaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, Chicago Botanic GardenGlencoeUnited States of America
| | - Jason T. Cantley
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 96132, USASan Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoUnited States of America
| | - Peter Jobson
- Northern Territory Herbarium, Alice Springs, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 0870, AustraliaNorthern Territory HerbariumAlice SpringsAustralia
| | - Christopher T. Martine
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA, USABucknell UniversityLewisburgUnited States of America
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Rogers AD, Appeltans W, Assis J, Ballance LT, Cury P, Duarte C, Favoretto F, Hynes LA, Kumagai JA, Lovelock CE, Miloslavich P, Niamir A, Obura D, O'Leary BC, Ramirez-Llodra E, Reygondeau G, Roberts C, Sadovy Y, Steeds O, Sutton T, Tittensor DP, Velarde E, Woodall L, Aburto-Oropeza O. Discovering marine biodiversity in the 21st century. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2022; 93:23-115. [PMID: 36435592 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We review the current knowledge of the biodiversity of the ocean as well as the levels of decline and threat for species and habitats. The lack of understanding of the distribution of life in the ocean is identified as a significant barrier to restoring its biodiversity and health. We explore why the science of taxonomy has failed to deliver knowledge of what species are present in the ocean, how they are distributed and how they are responding to global and regional to local anthropogenic pressures. This failure prevents nations from meeting their international commitments to conserve marine biodiversity with the results that investment in taxonomy has declined in many countries. We explore a range of new technologies and approaches for discovery of marine species and their detection and monitoring. These include: imaging methods, molecular approaches, active and passive acoustics, the use of interconnected databases and citizen science. Whilst no one method is suitable for discovering or detecting all groups of organisms many are complementary and have been combined to give a more complete picture of biodiversity in marine ecosystems. We conclude that integrated approaches represent the best way forwards for accelerating species discovery, description and biodiversity assessment. Examples of integrated taxonomic approaches are identified from terrestrial ecosystems. Such integrated taxonomic approaches require the adoption of cybertaxonomy approaches and will be boosted by new autonomous sampling platforms and development of machine-speed exchange of digital information between databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex D Rogers
- REV Ocean, Lysaker, Norway; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Ward Appeltans
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Oostende, Belgium
| | - Jorge Assis
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Lisa T Ballance
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States
| | | | - Carlos Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fabio Favoretto
- Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Lisa A Hynes
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joy A Kumagai
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Patricia Miloslavich
- Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States; Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela & Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR), Newark, DE, United States
| | - Aidin Niamir
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Bethan C O'Leary
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom; Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Ramirez-Llodra
- REV Ocean, Lysaker, Norway; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Reygondeau
- Yale Center for Biodiversity Movement and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Nippon Foundation-Nereus Program, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Callum Roberts
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne Sadovy
- School of Biological Sciences, Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Oliver Steeds
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Sutton
- Nova Southeastern University, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Dania Beach, FL, United States
| | | | - Enriqueta Velarde
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Pesquerías, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Lucy Woodall
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Islam S, Weiland C, Addink W. From data pipelines to FAIR data infrastructures: A vision for the new horizons of bio- and geodiversity data for scientific research. RESEARCH IDEAS AND OUTCOMES 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rio.8.e93816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural science collections are vast repositories of bio- and geodiversity specimens. These collections, originating from natural history cabinets or expeditions, are increasingly becoming unparalleled sources of data facilitating multidisciplinary research (Meineke et al. 2018, Heberling et al. 2019, Cook et al. 2020, Thompson et al. 2021). Due to various global data mobilization and digitisation efforts (Blagoderov et al. 2012,Nelson and Ellis 2018), this digitised information about specimens includes database records along with two/three-dimensional images, sonograms, sound or video recordings, computerised tomography scans, machine-readable texts from labels on the specimens as well as media items and notes related to the discovery sites and acquisition (Hedrick et al. 2020,Phillipson 2022).
The scope and practice of specimen gathering are also evolving. The term extended specimen was coined to refer to the specimen and associated data extending beyond the singular physical object to other physical or digital entities such as chemical composition, genetic sequence data or species data. Thus the specimen becomes an interconnected network of data resources that have incredible potential to enhance integrative and data-driven research (Webster 2017,Lendemer et al. 2019,Hardisty et al. 2022). These practices also reflect the role of data and the curatorial data life-cycle starting from the initial material sampling process to the downstream analysis. We are also seeing growing acknowledgement that disparate and domain specific data elements prevent interdisciplinarity which is crucial for a holistic understanding of biodiversity and climate crisis (Hicks et al. 2010, Craven et al. 2019, Folk and Siniscalchi 2021).
Thus the data elements are not just records or rows in a database or data pipelines going from one repository to another. They have the potential to become self-describing digital artefacts that can revolutionise how machines interpret and work with specimen data. Within this context, the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo), a new European Research Infrastructure for natural science collections, envisions an infrastructure based on FAIR Digital Objects (FDO) that can unify more than 170 European natural science collections under common and FAIR-compliant (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) (Wilkinson et al. 2016) access and curation policies and practices. DiSSCo’s key element in achieving FAIR is the implementation of Digital Specimen (a domain specific FDO) that closely aligns with the extended specimen practices. The idea behind Digital Specimen – an FDO that acts as a digital surrogate for a specific physical specimen in a natural science collection – was influenced by global conversations around the implementation of the Digital Object Architecture for biodiversity data (De Smedt et al. 2020, Islam et al. 2020,Hardisty et al. 2020).
The main purpose of this talk is to explain the vision of how FAIR and FDO can create a data infrastructure that can not only take advantage of existing databases and repositories but at the same time provide support for innovative services such as AI and digital twinning. With scientific use cases in mind, the talk will highlight a few key FAIR and FDO components (persistent identifiers, metadata, ontologies) within the collaborative modelling activity of Digital Specimen specification. These components provide the template for specifying how a Digital Specimen should look so DiSSCo can build a FAIR service ecosystem based on FDOs (Addink et al. 2021). We will also give examples of envisioned services that can help with image feature extraction, and model training (Grieb et al. 2021,Hardisty et al. 2022) and digital twinning (Schultes et al. 2022). We believe this is an exciting new paradigm powered by FAIR and FDO that can help both humans and machines to accelerate the use of specimen data. From physical objects curated over hundred years, we have developed data pipelines, aggregators and repositories (Barberousse 2021). Now is the time to look for solutions where these data records can become FAIR Digital Objects to enable wider access and multidisciplinary research.
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Teixeira‐Costa L, Heberling JM, Wilson CA, Davis CC. Parasitic flowering plant collections embody the extended specimen. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Teixeira‐Costa
- Harvard University Herbaria Cambridge MA USA
- Hanse‐Wissenschaftskolleg – Institute for Advanced Study, Lehmkuhlenbusch 4, 27753 Delmenhorst Germany
| | | | - Carol A. Wilson
- University and Jepson Herbaria University of California, Berkeley, 1001 Valley Life Sciences Building Berkeley CA USA
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21
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Tracing the invasion of a leaf-mining moth in the Palearctic through DNA barcoding of historical herbaria. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5065. [PMID: 35332171 PMCID: PMC8948198 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08894-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The lime leaf-miner, Phyllonorycter issikii is an invasive micromoth with an unusually higher number of haplotypes in the invaded area (Europe, Western Siberia) compared to its putative native region (East Asia). The origin of the genetic diversity in the neocolonized region remains unclear. We surveyed over 15 thousand herbarium specimens of lime trees (Tilia spp.) collected across the Palearctic over a period of 252 years (1764-2016) looking for preserved larvae within the archival leaf mines. We found 203 herbarium specimens with leaf mines of Ph. issikii collected in East Asia, one of them dating back to 1830, i.e. 133 years before the description of the species. In contrast, only 22 herbarium specimens collected in the West Palearctic in the last three decades (1987-2015) carried leaf mines. DNA barcoding of archival specimens revealed 32 haplotypes out of which 23 were novel (not known from modern populations) and found exclusively in East Asia. Six haplotypes are shared between both native and invaded areas and only two were responsible for the recent invasion of the Western Palearctic. The remarkable number of newly discovered haplotypes in archival populations supports East Asia as the native region and the source area of invasion.
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Hardisty A, Brack P, Goble C, Livermore L, Scott B, Groom Q, Owen S, Soiland-Reyes S. The Specimen Data Refinery: A Canonical Workflow Framework and FAIR Digital Object Approach to Speeding up Digital Mobilisation of Natural History Collections. DATA INTELLIGENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1162/dint_a_00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A key limiting factor in organising and using information from physical specimens curated in natural science collections is making that information computable, with institutional digitization tending to focus more on imaging the specimens themselves than on efficiently capturing computable data about them. Label data are traditionally manually transcribed today with high cost and low throughput, rendering such a task constrained for many collection-holding institutions at current funding levels. We show how computer vision, optical character recognition, handwriting recognition, named entity recognition and language translation technologies can be implemented into canonical workflow component libraries with findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) characteristics. These libraries are being developed in a cloud- based workflow platform—the ‘Specimen Data Refinery’ (SDR)—founded on Galaxy workflow engine, Common Workflow Language, Research Object Crates (RO-Crate) and WorkflowHub technologies. The SDR can be applied to specimens’ labels and other artefacts, offering the prospect of greatly accelerated and more accurate data capture in computable form. Two kinds of FAIR Digital Objects (FDO) are created by packaging outputs of SDR workflows and workflow components as digital objects with metadata, a persistent identifier, and a specific type definition. The first kind of FDO are computable Digital Specimen (DS) objects that can be consumed/produced by workflows, and other applications. A single DS is the input data structure submitted to a workflow that is modified by each workflow component in turn to produce a refined DS at the end. The Specimen Data Refinery provides a library of such components that can be used individually, or in series. To cofunction, each library component describes the fields it requires from the DS and the fields it will in turn populate or enrich. The second kind of FDO, RO-Crates gather and archive the diverse set of digital and real-world resources, configurations, and actions (the provenance) contributing to a unit of research work, allowing that work to be faithfully recorded and reproduced. Here we describe the Specimen Data Refinery with its motivating requirements, focusing on what is essential in the creation of canonical workflow component libraries and its conformance with the requirements of an emerging FDO Core Specification being developed by the FDO Forum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Hardisty
- School of Computer Science and informatics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK
| | - Paul Brack
- The Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Carole Goble
- The Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | - Ben Scott
- The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | | | - Stuart Owen
- The Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Stian Soiland-Reyes
- The Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Informatics Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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23
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de Lutio R, Park JY, Watson KA, D'Aronco S, Wegner JD, Wieringa JJ, Tulig M, Pyle RL, Gallaher TJ, Brown G, Guymer G, Franks A, Ranatunga D, Baba Y, Belongie SJ, Michelangeli FA, Ambrose BA, Little DP. The Herbarium 2021 Half-Earth Challenge Dataset and Machine Learning Competition. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:787127. [PMID: 35178056 PMCID: PMC8846375 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.787127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Herbarium sheets present a unique view of the world's botanical history, evolution, and biodiversity. This makes them an all-important data source for botanical research. With the increased digitization of herbaria worldwide and advances in the domain of fine-grained visual classification which can facilitate automatic identification of herbarium specimen images, there are many opportunities for supporting and expanding research in this field. However, existing datasets are either too small, or not diverse enough, in terms of represented taxa, geographic distribution, and imaging protocols. Furthermore, aggregating datasets is difficult as taxa are recognized under a multitude of names and must be aligned to a common reference. We introduce the Herbarium 2021 Half-Earth dataset: the largest and most diverse dataset of herbarium specimen images, to date, for automatic taxon recognition. We also present the results of the Herbarium 2021 Half-Earth challenge, a competition that was part of the Eighth Workshop on Fine-Grained Visual Categorization (FGVC8) and hosted by Kaggle to encourage the development of models to automatically identify taxa from herbarium sheet images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo de Lutio
- EcoVision Lab, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John Y. Park
- New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, United States
| | | | - Stefano D'Aronco
- EcoVision Lab, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan D. Wegner
- EcoVision Lab, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Computational Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Gillian Brown
- Queensland Herbarium, Department of Environment and Science, Toowong, QLD, Australia
| | - Gordon Guymer
- Queensland Herbarium, Department of Environment and Science, Toowong, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew Franks
- Queensland Herbarium, Department of Environment and Science, Toowong, QLD, Australia
| | - Dhahara Ranatunga
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yumiko Baba
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Serge J. Belongie
- Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen, and Pioneer Centre for AI, Copenhagen, Denmark
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24
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Monfils AK, Krimmel ER, Linton DL, Marsico TD, Morris AB, Ruhfel BR. Collections Education: The Extended Specimen and Data Acumen. Bioscience 2021; 72:177-188. [PMID: 35145351 PMCID: PMC8824687 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity scientists must be fluent across disciplines; they must possess the quantitative, computational, and data skills necessary for working with large, complex data sets, and they must have foundational skills and content knowledge from ecology, evolution, taxonomy, and systematics. To effectively train the emerging workforce, we must teach science as we conduct science and embrace emerging concepts of data acumen alongside the knowledge, tools, and techniques foundational to organismal biology. We present an open education resource that updates the traditional plant collection exercise to incorporate best practices in twenty-first century collecting and to contextualize the activities that build data acumen. Students exposed to this resource gained skills and content knowledge in plant taxonomy and systematics, as well as a nuanced understanding of collections-based data resources. We discuss the importance of the extended specimen in fostering scientific discovery and reinforcing foundational concepts in biodiversity science, taxonomy, and systematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Monfils
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
| | - Erica R Krimmel
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States
| | - Debra L Linton
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
| | | | - Ashley B Morris
- Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, United States
| | - Brad R Ruhfel
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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25
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Kubo T, Veríssimo D, Uryu S, Mieno T, MacMillan D. What determines the success and failure of environmental crowdfunding? AMBIO 2021; 50:1659-1669. [PMID: 33754325 PMCID: PMC8285433 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01522-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Online crowdfunding can help address the perennial financial shortfalls in environmental conservation and management. Although many online crowdfunding campaigns fail to collect any funds due to not achieving their targets, little is known about what drives success. To address this knowledge gap, we applied a mixed-methods approach to data from 473 successful and failed campaigns hosted on the online crowdfunding platform Readyfor. We found that fundraising performance varied by topic, with campaigns on pet animal management outperforming those focussed on landscape management and sustainable use. We also found that marketing strategies associated with online findability and increased reach through social networks, increased fundraising success. However, the existence of other environmental campaigns running simultaneously, reduced the chance of success, which implies that the selecting popular topics does not always increase the likelihood of success due to increased competition. Wider applications of marketing could enhance the ability of environmental crowdfunding campaigns to raise funds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kubo
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, 78 Marlowe Building, Canterbury, CT2 7NR, UK.
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan.
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Shinya Uryu
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Taro Mieno
- Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, USA
| | - Douglas MacMillan
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, 78 Marlowe Building, Canterbury, CT2 7NR, UK
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26
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Kozlov MV, Sokolova IV, Zverev V, Zvereva EL. Changes in plant collection practices from the 16th to 21st centuries: implications for the use of herbarium specimens in global change research. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 127:865-873. [PMID: 33556168 PMCID: PMC8225282 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Herbaria were recently advertised as reliable sources of information regarding historical changes in plant traits and biotic interactions. To justify the use of herbaria in global change research, we asked whether the characteristics of herbarium specimens have changed during the past centuries and whether these changes were due to shifts in plant collection practices. METHODS We measured nine characteristics from 515 herbarium specimens of common European trees and large shrubs collected from 1558 to 2016. We asked botanists to rank these specimens by their scientific quality, and asked artists to rank these specimens by their beauty. KEY RESULTS Eight of 11 assessed characteristics of herbarium specimens changed significantly during the study period. The average number of leaves in plant specimens increased 3-fold, whereas the quality of specimen preparation decreased. Leaf size negatively correlated with leaf number in specimens in both among-species and within-species analyses. The proportion of herbarium sheets containing plant reproductive structures peaked in the 1850s. The scientific value of herbarium specimens increased until the 1700s, but then did not change, whereas their aesthetic value showed no systematic trends. CONCLUSIONS Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that many characteristics of herbarium specimens have changed systematically and substantially from the 16th to 21st centuries due to changes in plant collection and preservation practices. These changes may both create patterns which could be erroneously attributed to environmental changes and obscure historical trends in plant traits. The utmost care ought to be taken to guard against the possibility of misinterpretation of data obtained from herbarium specimens. We recommend that directional changes in characters of herbarium specimens which occurred during the past 150‒200 years, primarily in specimen size and in the presence of reproductive structures, are accounted for when searching for the effects of past environmental changes on plant traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irina V Sokolova
- Herbarium, V. L. Komarov Botanical Institute, Professora Popova Str. 2, 197376, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vitali Zverev
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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27
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Folk RA, Siniscalchi CM. Biodiversity at the global scale: the synthesis continues. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:912-924. [PMID: 34181762 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, the generation and use of biodiversity data and their associated specimen objects have been primarily the purview of individuals and small research groups. While deposition of data and specimens in herbaria and other repositories has long been the norm, throughout most of their history, these resources have been accessible only to a small community of specialists. Through recent concerted efforts, primarily at the level of national and international governmental agencies over the last two decades, the pace of biodiversity data accumulation has accelerated, and a wider array of biodiversity scientists has gained access to this massive accumulation of resources, applying them to an ever-widening compass of research pursuits. We review how these new resources and increasing access to them are affecting the landscape of biodiversity research in plants today, focusing on new applications across evolution, ecology, and other fields that have been enabled specifically by the availability of these data and the global scope that was previously beyond the reach of individual investigators. We give an overview of recent advances organized along three lines: broad-scale analyses of distributional data and spatial information, phylogenetic research circumscribing large clades with comprehensive taxon sampling, and data sets derived from improved accessibility of biodiversity literature. We also review synergies between large data resources and more traditional data collection paradigms, describe shortfalls and how to overcome them, and reflect on the future of plant biodiversity analyses in light of increasing linkages between data types and scientists in our field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Folk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Carolina M Siniscalchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
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28
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Grace OM, Pérez-Escobar OA, Lucas EJ, Vorontsova MS, Lewis GP, Walker BE, Lohmann LG, Knapp S, Wilkie P, Sarkinen T, Darbyshire I, Lughadha EN, Monro A, Woudstra Y, Demissew S, Muasya AM, Díaz S, Baker WJ, Antonelli A. Botanical Monography in the Anthropocene. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:433-441. [PMID: 33579621 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Unprecedented changes in the Earth's biota are prompting urgent efforts to describe and conserve plant diversity. For centuries, botanical monographs - comprehensive systematic treatments of a family or genus - have been the gold standard for disseminating scientific information to accelerate research. The lack of a monograph compounds the risk that undiscovered species become extinct before they can be studied and conserved. Progress towards estimating the Tree of Life and digital information resources now bring even the most ambitious monographs within reach. Here, we recommend best practices to complete monographs urgently, especially for tropical plant groups under imminent threat or with expected socioeconomic benefits. We also highlight the renewed relevance and potential impact of monographies for the understanding, sustainable use, and conservation of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lúcia G Lohmann
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Botânica, 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra Knapp
- Department of Botany, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Peter Wilkie
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LP, UK
| | - Tiina Sarkinen
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LP, UK
| | | | | | | | - Yannick Woudstra
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE, UK; Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Gothersgade 130, Copenhagen 1153, Denmark
| | - Sebsebe Demissew
- Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, National Herbarium, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - A Muthama Muasya
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa
| | - Sandra Díaz
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET-UNC) and FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Casilla de Correo 495, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE, UK; Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 41319 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK.
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29
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Albani Rocchetti G, Armstrong CG, Abeli T, Orsenigo S, Jasper C, Joly S, Bruneau A, Zytaruk M, Vamosi JC. Reversing extinction trends: new uses of (old) herbarium specimens to accelerate conservation action on threatened species. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:433-450. [PMID: 33280123 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Although often not collected specifically for the purposes of conservation, herbarium specimens offer sufficient information to reconstruct parameters that are needed to designate a species as 'at-risk' of extinction. While such designations should prompt quick and efficient legal action towards species recovery, such action often lags far behind and is mired in bureaucratic procedure. The increase in online digitization of natural history collections has now led to a surge in the number new studies on the uses of machine learning. These repositories of species occurrences are now equipped with advances that allow for the identification of rare species. The increase in attention devoted to estimating the scope and severity of the threats that lead to the decline of such species will increase our ability to mitigate these threats and reverse the declines, overcoming a current barrier to the recovery of many threatened plant species. Thus far, collected specimens have been used to fill gaps in systematics, range extent, and past genetic diversity. We find that they also offer material with which it is possible to foster species recovery, ecosystem restoration, and de-extinction, and these elements should be used in conjunction with machine learning and citizen science initiatives to mobilize as large a force as possible to counter current extinction trends.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Abeli
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, Roma, 00154, Italy
| | - Simone Orsenigo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Caroline Jasper
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Simon Joly
- Montreal Botanical Garden, Montréal, QC, H1X 2B2, Canada
- Département de Sciences Biologiques and Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H1X 2B2, Canada
| | - Anne Bruneau
- Département de Sciences Biologiques and Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H1X 2B2, Canada
| | - Maria Zytaruk
- Department of English, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Jana C Vamosi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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30
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Harris T, Mulligan M, Brummitt N. Opportunities and challenges for herbaria in studying the spatial variation in plant functional diversity. SYST BIODIVERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2021.1887394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Harris
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Geography, King’s College London, 30 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - Mark Mulligan
- Department of Geography, King’s College London, 30 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - Neil Brummitt
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
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31
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Folk RA, Kates HR, LaFrance R, Soltis DE, Soltis PS, Guralnick RP. High-throughput methods for efficiently building massive phylogenies from natural history collections. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2021; 9:e11410. [PMID: 33680581 PMCID: PMC7910806 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Large phylogenetic data sets have often been restricted to small numbers of loci from GenBank, and a vetted sampling-to-sequencing phylogenomic protocol scaling to thousands of species is not yet available. Here, we report a high-throughput collections-based approach that empowers researchers to explore more branches of the tree of life with numerous loci. METHODS We developed an integrated Specimen-to-Laboratory Information Management System (SLIMS), connecting sampling and wet lab efforts with progress tracking at each stage. Using unique identifiers encoded in QR codes and a taxonomic database, a research team can sample herbarium specimens, efficiently record the sampling event, and capture specimen images. After sampling in herbaria, images are uploaded to a citizen science platform for metadata generation, and tissue samples are moved through a simple, high-throughput, plate-based herbarium DNA extraction and sequencing protocol. RESULTS We applied this sampling-to-sequencing workflow to ~15,000 species, producing for the first time a data set with ~50% taxonomic representation of the "nitrogen-fixing clade" of angiosperms. DISCUSSION The approach we present is appropriate at any taxonomic scale and is extensible to other collection types. The widespread use of large-scale sampling strategies repositions herbaria as accessible but largely untapped resources for broad taxonomic sampling with thousands of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Folk
- Department of Biological SciencesMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateMississippiUSA
| | - Heather R. Kates
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Raphael LaFrance
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Douglas E. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Genetics InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Pamela S. Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Genetics InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Robert P. Guralnick
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
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32
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Fischer EE, Cobb NS, Kawahara AY, Zaspel JM, Cognato AI. Decline of Amateur Lepidoptera Collectors Threatens the Future of Specimen-Based Research. Bioscience 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Amateur butterfly and moth collectors in the United States have procured more Lepidoptera specimens than professional scientists. The advent of large government-supported database efforts has made a quantitative examination of the impact of amateur collecting of these insects possible. We reviewed trends in Lepidoptera collecting since 1800, using more than 1 million United States lepidopteran specimens that have been collected into public databases. Our findings show a steep rise in the collection of specimens after World War II, followed by a short plateau and sharp decline in the late 1990s. In contrast, the rate of observations submitted to database groups dramatically increased around 2005. Declining acquisition of Lepidoptera specimens may compromise critically important testing of contemporary and future ecological, conservation, and evolutionary hypotheses on a grand scale, particularly given documented declines in insect populations. We suggest that increasing collaboration between professional and community-based scientists could alleviate the decline in amateur-collected specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica E Fischer
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, in the United States
| | - Neil S Cobb
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
| | - Akito Y Kawahara
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States
| | | | - Anthony I Cognato
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, in the United States
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Abstract
Dead museum specimens are finding new life, providing critical data about otherwise hidden impacts of human-caused environmental change. New research powerfully leverages decades of plant collections to uncover global responses in floral pigmentation linked to ozone and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mason Heberling
- Section of Botany, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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34
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Marsico TD, Krimmel ER, Carter JR, Gillespie EL, Lowe PD, McCauley R, Morris AB, Nelson G, Smith M, Soteropoulos DL, Monfils AK. Small herbaria contribute unique biogeographic records to county, locality, and temporal scales. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2020; 107:1577-1587. [PMID: 33217783 PMCID: PMC7756855 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE With digitization and data sharing initiatives underway over the last 15 years, an important need has been prioritizing specimens to digitize. Because duplicate specimens are shared among herbaria in exchange and gift programs, we investigated the extent to which unique biogeographic data are held in small herbaria vs. these data being redundant with those held by larger institutions. We evaluated the unique specimen contributions that small herbaria make to biogeographic understanding at county, locality, and temporal scales. METHODS We sampled herbarium specimens of 40 plant taxa from each of eight states of the United States of America in four broad status categories: extremely rare, very rare, common native, and introduced. We gathered geographic information from specimens held by large (≥100,000 specimens) and small (<100,000 specimens) herbaria. We built generalized linear mixed models to assess which features of the collections may best predict unique contributions of herbaria and used an Akaike information criterion-based information-theoretic approach for our model selection to choose the best model for each scale. RESULTS Small herbaria contributed unique specimens at all scales in proportion with their contribution of specimens to our data set. The best models for all scales were the full models that included the factors of species status and herbarium size when accounting for state as a random variable. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that small herbaria contribute unique information for research. It is clear that unique contributions cannot be predicted based on herbarium size alone. We must prioritize digitization and data sharing from herbaria of all sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis D. Marsico
- Department of Biological SciencesArkansas State UniversityState UniversityPO Box 599AR72467USA
| | - Erica R. Krimmel
- Sagehen Creek Field StationUniversity of California Berkeley11616 Sagehen RoadTruckeeCA96160USA
- Present address:
iDigBioFlorida State University142 Collegiate LoopTallahasseeFL32306USA
| | - J. Richard Carter
- Department of BiologyValdosta State University1500 North Patterson StreetValdostaGA31698USA
| | - Emily L. Gillespie
- Department of Biological SciencesMarshall UniversityOne John Marshall DriveHuntingtonWV25755USA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesButler University4600 Sunset AvenueIndianapolisIN46208USA
| | - Phillip D. Lowe
- Department of BiologyValdosta State University1500 North Patterson StreetValdostaGA31698USA
| | - Ross McCauley
- Department of BiologyFort Lewis College1000 Rim DriveDurangoCO81301USA
| | - Ashley B. Morris
- Department of BiologyMiddle Tennessee State UniversityBox 60MurfreesboroTN37132USA
- Present address:
Department of BiologyFurman University3300 Poinsett HighwayGreenvilleSC29613USA
| | - Gil Nelson
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State University142 Collegiate LoopTallahasseeFL32306USA
- Present address:
iDigBioFlorida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of Florida1659 Museum RoadGainesvilleFL32611USA
| | - Michelle Smith
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State University142 Collegiate LoopTallahasseeFL32306USA
- Present address:
The Institute for Regional Conservation100 E. Linton Blvd, Suite 302BDelray BeachFL33483USA
| | - Diana L. Soteropoulos
- Department of Biological SciencesArkansas State UniversityState UniversityPO Box 599AR72467USA
- Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission1100 North StreetLittle RockAR72201USA
| | - Anna K. Monfils
- Department of BiologyCentral Michigan University2401 BiosciencesMount PleasantMI48859USA
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Santos J, Rupino da Cunha P, Sales F. A strategy to digitise natural history collections with limited resources. Biodivers Data J 2020; 8:e55959. [PMID: 33177945 PMCID: PMC7599201 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.8.e55959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The present work is a contribution towards accelerating the digitisation process of natural history collections, usually a slow process. A two-stage process was developed at the herbarium of the University of Coimbra: (i) a new workflow was established to automatically create records in the herbarium master database with minimum information, while capturing digital images; (ii) these records are then used to populate a web-based crowdsourcing platform where citizens are involved in the transcription of specimen labels from the digital images. This approach simplifies and accelerates databasing, reduces specimen manipulation and promotes the involvement of citizens in the scientific goals of the herbarium. The novel features of this process are: (i) the validation method of the crowdsourcing contribution that ensures quality control, enabling the data to integrate the master database directly and (ii) the field-by-field integration in the master database enables immediate corrections to any record in the catalogue.
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Kovtonyuk N, Han I, Gatilova E. Vascular plants from European Russia in the CSBG SB RAS Digital Herbarium. Biodivers Data J 2020; 8:e56504. [PMID: 33117078 PMCID: PMC7561608 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.8.e56504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (CSBG SB RAS) is the largest botanical institution in the Asian part of Russia. Founded in 1946, CSBG SB RAS is historically a consortium of two herbarium collections with their own acronyms (NS and NSK) and registration in the Index Herbariorum (Thiers 2020).At present the NS+NSK collections contain about 800,000 herbarium specimens comprising vascular plants (680,000), mosses (25,000), lichens (80,000) and fungi (15,000) gathered, not only in Siberia, but also in the European part of Russia and other parts of the Eurasian and American continents. CSBG SB RAS has the third largest collection in Russia after the Komarov Botanical Institute of RAS (LE) and Moscow State University (MW) collections.The dataset consists of 5,384 records of digitised herbarium specimens of vascular plants belonging to 111 families, collected since the 19th century in 54 administrative regions from the European part of Russia and kept in NS+NSK collections. Herbarium specimens were digitised using two special scanners, both ObjectScan 1600, according to international standards, at 600 dpi, with a barcode, 24-colour scale and spatial scale bar and placed into the CSBG SB RAS Digital Herbarium. For each specimen, the species name, locality, collection date, collector, ecology and revision label are recorded. More than 94% of the records have coordinates that fall within the area of European Russia, west of the Ural Mountains. New information A total of 5,384 records of vascular plant occurrences with 94.8% geolocations in the territory of the European Russia West of the Ural Mountains were entered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Kovtonyuk
- Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS Novosibirsk Russia
| | - Irina Han
- Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS Novosibirsk Russia
| | - Evgeniya Gatilova
- Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS Novosibirsk Russia
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Perez TM, Rodriguez J, Mason Heberling J. Herbarium-based measurements reliably estimate three functional traits. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2020; 107:1457-1464. [PMID: 32945535 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE The use of functional traits has surged in recent decades, providing new insights ranging from individual plant fitness to ecosystem processes. Global plant trait databases have advanced our understanding of plant functional diversity, but they remain incomplete because of geographic and taxonomic biases. Herbarium specimens may help fill these gaps by providing trait information across space and time. We tested whether herbarium specimen-derived measurements are reliable estimates of three important, commonly measured functional traits-specific leaf area (SLA), branch wood specific gravity, and leaf thickness. METHODS Leaves and branches were collected from species cultivated at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Florida International University in Miami, FL, USA. Fresh components of SLA (area), branch wood specific gravity (volume), and leaf thickness were measured following standard trait measurement protocols. We compared these trait values to corresponding measurements using plant tissues dried in a plant press following standard herbarium plant collecting protocols. RESULTS Herbarium-derived trait measurements (dried tissues) were highly correlated with those measured using fresh tissues following standard protocols (SLA: R2 = 0.72-0.97, p < 0.01; wood specific gravity: R2 = 0.74-0.75, p < 0.01; leaf thickness: R2 = 0.96, p < 0.01). However, except for leaf thickness, linear model slope or intercept coefficients differed from 1, indicating herbarium-derived trait measurements may provide biased estimates of fresh traits without the use of correction factors. CONCLUSIONS Herbarium-derived traits cannot always be used interchangeably with those measured from fresh tissues because of tissue shrinkage. However, herbarium-derived trait data still have the potential to drastically expand the temporal, geographic, and taxonomic scope of global trait databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Perez
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, FL, 33156, USA
| | - Jessica Rodriguez
- Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - J Mason Heberling
- Section of Botany, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Lopez L, Turner KG, Bellis ES, Lasky JR. Genomics of natural history collections for understanding evolution in the wild. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 20:1153-1160. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lua Lopez
- Department of Biology California State University San Bernardino San Bernardino CaliforniaUSA
- Department of Biology Pennsylvania State University University Park PennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Kathryn G. Turner
- Department of Biology Pennsylvania State University University Park PennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Biological Sciences Idaho State University Pocatello IdahoUSA
| | - Emily S. Bellis
- Department of Biology Pennsylvania State University University Park PennsylvaniaUSA
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute & Department of Computer Science Arkansas State University Jonesboro ArkansasUSA
| | - Jesse R. Lasky
- Department of Biology Pennsylvania State University University Park PennsylvaniaUSA
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Rønsted N, Grace OM, Carine MA. Editorial: Integrative and Translational Uses of Herbarium Collections Across Time, Space, and Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1319. [PMID: 32973855 PMCID: PMC7472523 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rønsted
- Science and Conservation, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, HI, United States
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Olwen M. Grace
- Comparative Plant & Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Carine
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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Miller SE, Barrow LN, Ehlman SM, Goodheart JA, Greiman SE, Lutz HL, Misiewicz TM, Smith SM, Tan M, Thawley CJ, Cook JA, Light JE. Building Natural History Collections for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond. Bioscience 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Natural history collections (NHCs) are important resources for a diverse array of scientific fields. Recent digitization initiatives have broadened the user base of NHCs, and new technological innovations are using materials generated from collections to address novel scientific questions. Simultaneously, NHCs are increasingly imperiled by reductions in funding and resources. Ensuring that NHCs continue to serve as a valuable resource for future generations will require the scientific community to increase their contribution to and acknowledgement of collections. We provide recommendations and guidelines for scientists to support NHCs, focusing particularly on new users that may be unfamiliar with collections. We hope that this perspective will motivate debate on the future of NHCs and the role of the scientific community in maintaining and improving biological collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Miller
- Cornell University Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Ithaca, New York
| | - Lisa N Barrow
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and with the Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
| | - Sean M Ehlman
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Department, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Saint Paul
| | - Jessica A Goodheart
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara, California
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Stephen E Greiman
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro Georgia
| | - Holly L Lutz
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tracy M Misiewicz
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman
| | - Stephanie M Smith
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Milton Tan
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign, Champaign
| | - Christopher J Thawley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
- Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Neumann University, Aston, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph A Cook
- Museum of Southwestern Biology and with the Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
| | - Jessica E Light
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station
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Meineke EK, Tomasi C, Yuan S, Pryer KM. Applying machine learning to investigate long-term insect-plant interactions preserved on digitized herbarium specimens. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2020; 8:e11369. [PMID: 32626611 PMCID: PMC7328658 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Despite the economic significance of insect damage to plants (i.e., herbivory), long-term data documenting changes in herbivory are limited. Millions of pressed plant specimens are now available online and can be used to collect big data on plant-insect interactions during the Anthropocene. METHODS We initiated development of machine learning methods to automate extraction of herbivory data from herbarium specimens by training an insect damage detector and a damage type classifier on two distantly related plant species (Quercus bicolor and Onoclea sensibilis). We experimented with (1) classifying six types of herbivory and two control categories of undamaged leaf, and (2) detecting two of the damage categories for which several hundred annotations were available. RESULTS Damage detection results were mixed, with a mean average precision of 45% in the simultaneous detection and classification of two types of damage. However, damage classification on hand-drawn boxes identified the correct type of herbivory 81.5% of the time in eight categories. The damage classifier was accurate for categories with 100 or more test samples. DISCUSSION These tools are a promising first step for the automation of herbivory data collection. We describe ongoing efforts to increase the accuracy of these models, allowing researchers to extract similar data and apply them to biological hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K. Meineke
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCalifornia95616USA
| | - Carlo Tomasi
- Department of Computer ScienceDuke UniversityDurhamNorth Carolina27708USA
| | - Song Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials ScienceDuke UniversityDurhamNorth Carolina27708USA
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White AE, Dikow RB, Baugh M, Jenkins A, Frandsen PB. Generating segmentation masks of herbarium specimens and a data set for training segmentation models using deep learning. APPLICATIONS IN PLANT SCIENCES 2020; 8:e11352. [PMID: 32626607 PMCID: PMC7328659 DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Digitized images of herbarium specimens are highly diverse with many potential sources of visual noise and bias. The systematic removal of noise and minimization of bias must be achieved in order to generate biological insights based on the plants rather than the digitization and mounting practices involved. Here, we develop a workflow and data set of high-resolution image masks to segment plant tissues in herbarium specimen images and remove background pixels using deep learning. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated 400 curated, high-resolution masks of ferns using a combination of automatic and manual tools for image manipulation. We used those images to train a U-Net-style deep learning model for image segmentation, achieving a final Sørensen-Dice coefficient of 0.96. The resulting model can automatically, efficiently, and accurately segment massive data sets of digitized herbarium specimens, particularly for ferns. CONCLUSIONS The application of deep learning in herbarium sciences requires transparent and systematic protocols for generating training data so that these labor-intensive resources can be generalized to other deep learning applications. Segmentation ground-truth masks are hard-won data, and we share these data and the model openly in the hopes of furthering model training and transfer learning opportunities for broader herbarium applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E. White
- Data Science LabOffice of the Chief Information OfficerSmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonD.C.USA
- Department of BotanyNational Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - Rebecca B. Dikow
- Data Science LabOffice of the Chief Information OfficerSmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - Makinnon Baugh
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
| | - Abigail Jenkins
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
| | - Paul B. Frandsen
- Data Science LabOffice of the Chief Information OfficerSmithsonian InstitutionWashingtonD.C.USA
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtahUSA
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Ristaino JB. The Importance of Mycological and Plant Herbaria in Tracking Plant Killers. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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Groom Q, Dillen M, Hardy H, Phillips S, Willemse L, Wu Z. Improved standardization of transcribed digital specimen data. Database (Oxford) 2019; 2019:baz129. [PMID: 31819990 PMCID: PMC6901386 DOI: 10.1093/database/baz129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There are more than 1.2 billion biological specimens in the world's museums and herbaria. These objects are particularly important forms of biological sample and observation. They underpin biological taxonomy but the data they contain have many other uses in the biological and environmental sciences. Nevertheless, from their conception they are almost entirely documented on paper, either as labels attached to the specimens or in catalogues linked with catalogue numbers. In order to make the best use of these data and to improve the findability of these specimens, these data must be transcribed digitally and made to conform to standards, so that these data are also interoperable and reusable. Through various digitization projects, the authors have experimented with transcription by volunteers, expert technicians, scientists, commercial transcription services and automated systems. We have also been consumers of specimen data for taxonomical, biogeographical and ecological research. In this paper, we draw from our experiences to make specific recommendations to improve transcription data. The paper is split into two sections. We first address issues related to database implementation with relevance to data transcription, namely versioning, annotation, unknown and incomplete data and issues related to language. We then focus on particular data types that are relevant to biological collection specimens, namely nomenclature, dates, geography, collector numbers and uniquely identifying people. We make recommendations to standards organizations, software developers, data scientists and transcribers to improve these data with the specific aim of improving interoperability between collection datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Groom
- Department of Collections, Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium
| | - Mathias Dillen
- Department of Collections, Meise Botanic Garden, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium
| | - Helen Hardy
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD London, UK
| | - Sarah Phillips
- Department of Collections, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond TW9 3AB London, UK
| | - Luc Willemse
- Department of Entomological Collections, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Zhengzhe Wu
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Unioninkatu 44, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
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