1
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Meng H, Wang Y, Qiao GX, Chen J. Mitochondrial genome data provide insights into the phylogenetic relationships within Triplophysadalaica (Kessler, 1876) (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae). Zookeys 2024; 1197:43-55. [PMID: 38616923 PMCID: PMC11015090 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.116342] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the detrimental effect of formaldehyde on DNA, ethanol has replaced formalin as the primary preservative for animal specimens. However, short-term formalin fixation of specimens might be applied during field collection. In an increasing number of studies, DNA extraction and sequencing have been successfully conducted from formalin-fixed specimens. Here the DNA from five specimens of Triplophysadalaica (Kessler, 1876) were extracted and performed high-throughput sequencing. Four of the specimens underwent short-term fixation with formalin and were subsequently transferred to ethanol. One was continuously stored in ethanol. No significant difference of DNA quality and amount were observed among these samples. Followed by assembly and annotation, five mitochondrial genomes ranging in length from 16,569 to 16,572 bp were obtained. Additionally, previously published data of other individuals or species were included to perform phylogenetic analyses. In the reconstructed trees, all eight individuals of T.dalaica form a monophyletic group within the Triplophysa branch. The group is divided into three clades: (1) samples from the Yellow River, (2) those from the Yangtze River, and (3) those from the Haihe River, and the Lake Dali Nur. This study sheds initial light on the phylogeographic relationships among different populations of T.dalaica, and will support the research about its evolutionary history in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Meng
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yingnan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ge-Xia Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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2
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Bálint B, Merényi Z, Hegedüs B, Grigoriev IV, Hou Z, Földi C, Nagy LG. ContScout: sensitive detection and removal of contamination from annotated genomes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:936. [PMID: 38296951 PMCID: PMC10831095 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45024-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Contamination of genomes is an increasingly recognized problem affecting several downstream applications, from comparative evolutionary genomics to metagenomics. Here we introduce ContScout, a precise tool for eliminating foreign sequences from annotated genomes. It achieves high specificity and sensitivity on synthetic benchmark data even when the contaminant is a closely related species, outperforms competing tools, and can distinguish horizontal gene transfer from contamination. A screen of 844 eukaryotic genomes for contamination identified bacteria as the most common source, followed by fungi and plants. Furthermore, we show that contaminants in ancestral genome reconstructions lead to erroneous early origins of genes and inflate gene loss rates, leading to a false notion of complex ancestral genomes. Taken together, we offer here a tool for sensitive removal of foreign proteins, identify and remove contaminants from diverse eukaryotic genomes and evaluate their impact on phylogenomic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Bálint
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Merényi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
| | - Botond Hegedüs
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Zhihao Hou
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Csenge Földi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - László G Nagy
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Szeged, 6726, Hungary.
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3
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Budaeva N, Agne S, Ribeiro PA, Straube N, Preick M, Hofreiter M. Wide-spread dispersal in a deep-sea brooding polychaete: the role of natural history collections in assessing the distribution in quill worms (Onuphidae, Annelida). Front Zool 2024; 21:1. [PMID: 38233869 PMCID: PMC10795374 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-023-00520-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern integrative taxonomy-based annelid species descriptions are detailed combining morphological data and, since the last decades, also molecular information. Historic species descriptions are often comparatively brief lacking such detail. Adoptions of species names from western literature in the past led to the assumption of cosmopolitan ranges for many species, which, in many cases, were later found to include cryptic or pseudocryptic lineages with subtle morphological differences. Natural history collections and databases can aid in assessing the geographic ranges of species but depend on correct species identification. Obtaining DNA sequence information from wet-collection museum specimens of marine annelids is often impeded by the use of formaldehyde and/or long-term storage in ethanol resulting in DNA degradation and cross-linking. RESULTS The application of ancient DNA extraction methodology in combination with single-stranded DNA library preparation and target gene capture resulted in successful sequencing of a 110-year-old collection specimen of quill worms. Furthermore, a 40-year-old specimen of quill worms was successfully sequenced using a standard extraction protocol for modern samples, PCR and Sanger sequencing. Our study presents the first molecular analysis of Hyalinoecia species including the previously known species Hyalinoecia robusta, H. tubicloa, H. artifex, and H. longibranchiata, and a potentially undescribed species from equatorial western Africa morphologically indistinguishable from H. tubicola. The study also investigates the distribution of these five Hyalinoecia species. Reassessing the distribution of H. robusta reveals a geographical range covering both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans as indicated by molecular data obtained from recent and historical specimens. CONCLUSION Our results represent an example of a very wide geographical distribution of a brooding deep-sea annelid with a complex reproduction strategy and seemingly very limited dispersal capacity of its offspring, and highlights the importance of molecular information from museum specimens for integrative annelid taxonomy and biogeography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Budaeva
- Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Stefanie Agne
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pedro A Ribeiro
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Deep-Sea Research, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens Gate 53B, 5006, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nicolas Straube
- Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michaela Preick
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Evolutionary Adaptive Genomics, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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4
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Miralles A, Puillandre N, Vences M. DNA Barcoding in Species Delimitation: From Genetic Distances to Integrative Taxonomy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2744:77-104. [PMID: 38683312 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3581-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, DNA barcoding has become the most popular exploration approach in molecular taxonomy, whether for identification, discovery, delimitation, or description of species. The present contribution focuses on the utility of DNA barcoding for taxonomic research activities related to species delimitation, emphasizing the following aspects:(1) To what extent DNA barcoding can be a valuable ally for fundamental taxonomic research, (2) its methodological and theoretical limitations, (3) the conceptual background and practical use of pairwise distances between DNA barcode sequences in taxonomy, and (4) the different ways in which DNA barcoding can be combined with complementary means of investigation within a broader integrative framework. In this chapter, we recall and discuss the key conceptual advances that have led to the so-called renaissance of taxonomy, elaborate a detailed glossary for the terms specific to this discipline (see Glossary in Chap. 35 ), and propose a newly designed step-by-step species delimitation protocol starting from DNA barcode data that includes steps from the preliminary elaboration of an optimal sampling strategy to the final decision-making process which potentially leads to nomenclatural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Miralles
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Puillandre
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Paris, France
| | - Miguel Vences
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
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5
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Cunningham-Eurich I, Kontou D, Yordanova M, Maeda-Obregon A, Favreau E, Wang J, Hart AG, Sumner S. Using citizen science data to assess the population genetic structure of the common yellowjacket wasp, Vespula vulgaris. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 32:634-647. [PMID: 37599385 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12862] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring insect genetic diversity and population structure has never been more important to manage the biodiversity crisis. Citizen science has become an increasingly popular tool to gather ecological data affordably across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. To date, most insect-related citizen science initiatives have focused on occurrence and abundance data. Here, we show that poorly preserved insect samples collected by citizen scientists can yield population genetic information, providing new insights into population connectivity, genetic diversity and dispersal behaviour of little-studied insects. We analysed social wasps collected by participants of the Big Wasp Survey, a citizen science project that aims to map the diversity and distributions of vespine wasps in the UK. Although Vespula vulgaris is a notorious invasive species around the world, it remains poorly studied in its native range. We used these data to assess the population genetic structure of the common yellowjacket V. vulgaris at different spatial scales. We found a single, panmictic population across the UK with little evidence of population genetic structuring; the only possible limit to gene flow is the Irish sea, resulting in significant differentiation between the Northern Ireland and mainland UK populations. Our results suggest that queens disperse considerable distances from their natal nests to found new nests, resulting in high rates of gene flow and thus little differentiation across the landscape. Citizen science data has made it feasible to perform this study, and we hope that it will encourage future projects to adopt similar practices in insect population monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iona Cunningham-Eurich
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Danai Kontou
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monika Yordanova
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Emeline Favreau
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jinliang Wang
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Adam G Hart
- Department of Natural and Social Science, University of Gloucestershire, UK
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
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6
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Ferrari G, Esselens L, Hart ML, Janssens S, Kidner C, Mascarello M, Peñalba JV, Pezzini F, von Rintelen T, Sonet G, Vangestel C, Virgilio M, Hollingsworth PM. Developing the Protocol Infrastructure for DNA Sequencing Natural History Collections. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e102317. [PMID: 38327316 PMCID: PMC10848826 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e102317] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Intentionally preserved biological material in natural history collections represents a vast repository of biodiversity. Advances in laboratory and sequencing technologies have made these specimens increasingly accessible for genomic analyses, offering a window into the genetic past of species and often permitting access to information that can no longer be sampled in the wild. Due to their age, preparation and storage conditions, DNA retrieved from museum and herbarium specimens is often poor in yield, heavily fragmented and biochemically modified. This not only poses methodological challenges in recovering nucleotide sequences, but also makes such investigations susceptible to environmental and laboratory contamination. In this paper, we review the practical challenges associated with making the recovery of DNA sequence data from museum collections more routine. We first review key operational principles and issues to address, to guide the decision-making process and dialogue between researchers and curators about when and how to sample museum specimens for genomic analyses. We then outline the range of steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of contamination including laboratory set-ups, workflows and working practices. We finish by presenting a series of case studies, each focusing on protocol practicalities for the application of different mainstream methodologies to museum specimens including: (i) shotgun sequencing of insect mitogenomes, (ii) whole genome sequencing of insects, (iii) genome skimming to recover plant plastid genomes from herbarium specimens, (iv) target capture of multi-locus nuclear sequences from herbarium specimens, (v) RAD-sequencing of bird specimens and (vi) shotgun sequencing of ancient bovid bone samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Ferrari
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Lore Esselens
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, BelgiumRoyal Museum for Central AfricaTervurenBelgium
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Michelle L Hart
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Steven Janssens
- Meise Botanic Garden, Meise, BelgiumMeise Botanic GardenMeiseBelgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, Department of Biology, Leuven, BelgiumLeuven Plant Institute, Department of BiologyLeuvenBelgium
| | - Catherine Kidner
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Joshua V Peñalba
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, GermanyMuseum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity ScienceBerlinGermany
| | - Flávia Pezzini
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas von Rintelen
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, GermanyMuseum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity ScienceBerlinGermany
| | - Gontran Sonet
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Carl Vangestel
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, BelgiumRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesBrusselsBelgium
| | - Massimiliano Virgilio
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Department of African Zoology, Tervuren, BelgiumRoyal Museum for Central Africa, Department of African ZoologyTervurenBelgium
| | - Peter M Hollingsworth
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Garden EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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7
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Rakotoarison A, Scherz MD, Mullin KE, Crottini A, Petzold A, Ranjanaharisoa FA, Maheritafika HMR, Rafanoharana JM, Raherinjatovo H, Andreone F, Glaw F, Vences M. Gray versus yellow ventral coloration: Identity, distribution, color polymorphism and molecular relationships of the microhylid frog Platypelis mavomavo Andreone, Fenolio & Walvoord, 2003. Zootaxa 2023; 5352:221-234. [PMID: 38221452 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.2.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The Malagasy frog Platypelis mavomavo from Ambolokopatrika in the North East of Madagascar was originally diagnosed based on its bright yellow venter, but only limited information on this species has become available after its initial description in 2003. Several Platypelis specimens with yellow ventral color have been erroneously assigned to this species due to a lack of DNA sequences from the P. mavomavo type series. On the other hand, the candidate species Platypelis sp. Ca10 from Andranomapanga in the Northern Central East of Madagascar with gray ventral color has been defined based on its genetic differentiation from other nominal Platypelis species. Here we study the genetic variation of P. mavomavo and P. sp. Ca10 based on mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear-encoded (RAG-1) genes, including a newly determined sequence from the P. mavomavo holotype, which was studied using a museomics approach. We find only limited genetic variation among the samples studied, and this variation is unlinked to ventral coloration but instead reflects geographic distribution. We, therefore, conclude that P. sp. Ca10 is a gray-colored variant of P. mavomavo, and that P. mavomavo is rather widespread in the North East and Northern Central East of Madagascar, with populations in areas bordering the North West (Ambohitantely) and Sambirano (Ampotsidy) geographic regions, and the yellow-bellied morph restricted to the North East (Makira, Ambolokopatrika). Due to the range extension of P. mavomavo, the conservation status of the species requires re-assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark D Scherz
- Natural History Museum of Denmark; University of Copenhagen; Universitetsparken 15; 2100; Copenhagen ; Denmark.
| | - Katherine E Mullin
- Cardiff University; School of Biosciences; Sir Martin Evans Building; Museum Avenue; Cardiff; CF103AX; UK.
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO; Centro de Investigao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genticos; InBIO Laboratrio Associado; Campus de Vairo; Universidade do Porto; 4485-661 Vairo; Portugal; Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Cincias; Universidade do Porto; rua do Campo Alegre s/n; 4169 007 Porto; Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics; Biodiversity and Land Planning; CIBIO; Campus de Vairo; 4485-661 Vairo; Portugal.
| | - Alice Petzold
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology; University of Potsdam; Karl-Liebknecht Str.24-25; 14476 Potsdam; Germany; Museum fr Naturkunde Leibnitz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science; Invalidenstr. 43; 10115 Berlin; Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali; Via G. Giolitti; 36; 10123 Torino; Italy.
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung Mnchen (ZSM-SNSB); Mnchhausenstr. 21; 81247 Mnchen; Germany.
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute; Braunschweig University of Technology; Mendelssohnstr. 4; 38106 Braunschweig; Germany.
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8
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Nanglu K, de Carle D, Cullen TM, Anderson EB, Arif S, Castañeda RA, Chang LM, Iwama RE, Fellin E, Manglicmot RC, Massey MD, Astudillo‐Clavijo V. The nature of science: The fundamental role of natural history in ecology, evolution, conservation, and education. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10621. [PMID: 37877102 PMCID: PMC10591213 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a contemporary trend in many major research institutions to de-emphasize the importance of natural history education in favor of theoretical, laboratory, or simulation-based research programs. This may take the form of removing biodiversity and field courses from the curriculum and the sometimes subtle maligning of natural history research as a "lesser" branch of science. Additional threats include massive funding cuts to natural history museums and the maintenance of their collections, the extirpation of taxonomists across disciplines, and a critical under-appreciation of the role that natural history data (and other forms of observational data, including Indigenous knowledge) play in the scientific process. In this paper, we demonstrate that natural history knowledge is integral to any competitive science program through a comprehensive review of the ways in which they continue to shape modern theory and the public perception of science. We do so by reviewing how natural history research has guided the disciplines of ecology, evolution, and conservation and how natural history data are crucial for effective education programs and public policy. We underscore these insights with contemporary case studies, including: how understanding the dynamics of evolutionary radiation relies on natural history data; methods for extracting novel data from museum specimens; insights provided by multi-decade natural history programs; and how natural history is the most logical venue for creating an informed and scientifically literate society. We conclude with recommendations aimed at students, university faculty, and administrators for integrating and supporting natural history in their mandates. Fundamentally, we are all interested in understanding the natural world, but we can often fall into the habit of abstracting our research away from its natural contexts and complexities. Doing so risks losing sight of entire vistas of new questions and insights in favor of an over-emphasis on simulated or overly controlled studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karma Nanglu
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary BiologyHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Danielle de Carle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Invertebrate ZoologyRoyal Ontario MuseumTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Thomas M. Cullen
- Department of GeosciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnAlabamaUSA
- Negaunee Integrative Research CenterField Museum of Natural HistoryChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Erika B. Anderson
- The HunterianUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Earth and SpaceRoyal Ontario MuseumTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Suchinta Arif
- Department of BiologyDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Rowshyra A. Castañeda
- Ecosystems and Ocean SciencesPacific Region, Fisheries and Oceans CanadaSidneyBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | | | - Rafael Eiji Iwama
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto de BiociênciasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Erica Fellin
- Department of BiologyMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
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9
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Major T, Renk P, Reissig J, Paijmans JLA, Morris E, Hofreiter M, Barlow A, Broadley DG, Wüster W. Museum DNA reveals a new, potentially extinct species of rinkhals (Serpentes: Elapidae: Hemachatus) from the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291432. [PMID: 37756254 PMCID: PMC10529548 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic information plays a pivotal role in species recognition and delimitation, but rare or extinct animals can be difficult to obtain genetic samples from. While natural history wet collections have proven invaluable in the description of novel species, the use of these historical samples in genetic studies has been greatly impeded by DNA degradation, especially because of formalin-fixation prior to preservation. Here, we use recently developed museum genomics approaches to determine the status of an isolated population of the elapid snake genus Hemachatus from Zimbabwe. We used multiple digestion phases followed by single strand sequencing library construction and hybridisation capture to obtain 12S and 16S rDNA sequences from a poorly preserved tissue sample of this population. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses in an integrated taxonomic framework demonstrate that the Zimbabwean rinkhals population represents an old and highly distinct lineage, which we describe as a new species, Hemachatus nyangensis sp. nov. Our phylogenetic dating analysis is compatible with venom spitting having evolved in response to the threat posed by early hominins, although more data are required for a robust test of this hypothesis. This description demonstrates the power of museum genomics in revealing rare or even extinct species: Hemachatus from Zimbabwe are only known from a small area of the Eastern Highlands known for high endemism. No living specimens have been seen since the 1980s, most likely due to dramatic land-use changes in the Eastern Highlands, suggesting that the species could be extinct. In view of its recognition as a highly distinct lineage, urgent action is required to determine whether any populations survive, and to safeguard remaining habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Major
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Pia Renk
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jens Reissig
- Ultimate Creatures, Kelvin, Sandton, South Africa
| | | | - Ellie Morris
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Axel Barlow
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
| | | | - Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
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10
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Molbert N, Ghanavi HR, Johansson T, Mostadius M, Hansson MC. An evaluation of DNA extraction methods on historical and roadkill mammalian specimen. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13080. [PMID: 37567875 PMCID: PMC10421861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39465-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Guidelines identifying appropriate DNA extraction methods for both museum and modern biological samples are scarce or non-existent for mammalian species. Yet, obtaining large-scale genetic material collections are vital for conservation and management purposes. In this study, we evaluated five protocols making use of either spin-column, organic solvents, or magnetic bead-based methods for DNA extraction on skin samples from both modern, traffic-killed (n = 10) and museum (n = 10) samples of European hedgehogs, Ericaneus europaeus. We showed that phenol-chloroform or silica column (NucleoSpin Tissue) protocols yielded the highest amount of DNA with satisfactory purity compared with magnetic bead-based protocols, especially for museum samples. Furthermore, extractions using the silica column protocol appeared to produce longer DNA fragments on average than the other methods tested. Our investigation demonstrates that both commercial extraction kits and phenol-chloroform protocol retrieve acceptable DNA concentrations for downstream processes, from degraded remnants of traffic-killed and museum samples of mammalian specimens. Although all the tested methods could be applied depending on the research questions and laboratory conditions, commercial extraction kits may be preferred due to their effectiveness, safety and the higher quality of the DNA extractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlie Molbert
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Hamid Reza Ghanavi
- Department of Biology, Functional Zoology Unit, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tomas Johansson
- Department of Biology, Microbial Ecology Group, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Mostadius
- The Biological Museum, Lund University, Arkivcentrum Syd, Porfyrvägen 20, 22478, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria C Hansson
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
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11
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Baer J, Schliewen UK, Schedel FDB, Straube N, Roch S, Brinker A. Cryptic persistence and loss of local endemism in Lake Constance charr subject to anthropogenic disturbance. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2773. [PMID: 36317855 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2773] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In the welcome circumstance that species believed extinct are rediscovered, it is often the case that biological knowledge acquired before the presumed extinction is limited. Efforts to address these knowledge gaps, in particular to assess the taxonomic integrity and conservation status of such species, can be hampered by a lack of genetic data and scarcity of samples in museum collections. Here, we present a proof-of-concept case study based on a multidisciplinary data evaluation approach to tackle such problems. The approach was developed after the rediscovery, 40 years after its presumed extinction, of the enigmatic Lake Constance deep-water charr Salvelinus profundus. Targeted surveys led to the capture of further species and additional sympatric normal charr, Salvelinus cf. umbla. Since the lake had been subject to massive stocking in the past, an evaluation of the genetic integrity of both extant forms was called for in order to assess possible introgression. A two-step genomic approach was developed based on restriction site associated DNA (RAD). Diagnostic population genomic (single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]) data were harvested from contemporary samples and used for RNA bait design to perform target capture in DNA libraries of archival scale material, enabling a comparison between extant and historic samples. Furthermore, life history traits and morphological data for both extant forms were gathered and compared with historical data from the past 60-120 years. While extant deep-water charr matched historical deep-water specimens in body shape, gill raker count, and growth rates, significant differences were discovered between historical and extant normal charr. These resulted were supported by genomic analyses of contemporary samples, revealing the two extant forms to be highly divergent. The results of population assignment tests suggest that the endemic deep-water charr persisted in Lake Constance during the eutrophic phase, but not one of the historical genomic samples could be assigned to the extant normal charr taxon. Stocking with non-endemic charr seems to be the most likely reason for these changes. This proof-of-concept study presents a multidisciplinary data evaluation approach that simultaneously tests population genomic integrity and addresses some of the conservation issues arising from rediscovery of a species characterized by limited data availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Baer
- Fisheries Research Station Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen, Germany
| | | | - Frederic D B Schedel
- SNSB-ZSM Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Munich, Germany
- Zoological Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Straube
- Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Samuel Roch
- Fisheries Research Station Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen, Germany
| | - Alexander Brinker
- Fisheries Research Station Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen, Germany
- University of Konstanz, Institute for Limnology, Constance, Germany
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12
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Museomics Provides Insights into Conservation and Education: The Instance of an African Lion Specimen from the Museum of Zoology “Pietro Doderlein”. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Innovative technological approaches are crucial to enhance naturalistic museum collections and develop information repositories of relevant interest to science, such as threatened animal taxa. In this context, museomics is an emerging discipline that provides a novel approach to the enhancement and exploitation of these collections. In the present study, the discovery of a neglected lion skeleton in the Museum of Zoology “Pietro Doderlein” of the University of Palermo (Italy) offered the opportunity to undertake a multidisciplinary project. The aims of the study consisted of the following: (i) adding useful information for museographic strategies, (ii) obtaining a new genetic data repository from a vulnerable species, (iii) strengthening public awareness of wildlife conservation, and (iv) sharing new learning material. The remains of the lion were examined with a preliminary osteological survey, then they were restored by means of 3D printing of missing skeletal fragments. Phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b sequence clearly indicate that the specimen belongs to the Central Africa mitochondrial clade. At the end of the study, the complete and restored skeleton was exhibited, along with all of the information and data available from this project. This study shows a useful approach for the restoration and enhancement of a museum specimen, with important opportunities for preserving biodiversity and driving specific conservation policies, but also for providing Life Science learning material.
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13
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Lalueza-Fox C. Museomics. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R1214-R1215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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14
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The mitochondrial genome of the red icefish (Channichthys rugosus) casts doubt on its species status. Polar Biol 2022; 45:1541-1552. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03083-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAntarctic notothenioid fishes are recognised as one of the rare examples of adaptive radiation in the marine system. Withstanding the freezing temperatures of Antarctic waters, these fishes have diversified into over 100 species within no more than 10–20 million years. However, the exact species richness of the radiation remains contested. In the genus Channichthys, between one and nine species are recognised by different authors. To resolve the number of Channichthys species, genetic information would be highly valuable; however, so far, only sequences of a single species, C. rhinoceratus, are available. Here, we present the nearly complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of C. rugosus, obtained from a formalin-fixed museum specimen sampled in 1974. This sequence differs from the mitochondrial genome of C. rhinoceratus in no more than 27 positions, suggesting that the two species may be synonymous.
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15
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Ferrari L, Metovic J, Pulcinelli D, Lombardi A, Rullo D, Papola F, Ventura L. pH evaluation of storage fluids and ancient DNA extraction from wet specimens in pathology museums. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH - BOLLETTINO DELLA SOCIETÀ ITALIANA DI BIOLOGIA SPERIMENTALE 2022. [DOI: 10.4081/jbr.2022.10820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Pathology museums host ancient samples obtained during autopsies and generally used for educational purposes in the past. Such collections consist of dry and wet specimens showing diseases that no longer exist or with their natural course unmodified by modern therapies.1,2 In wet specimens, the preservation of macroscopic features due to the storage fluid has a great historical and paleopathological interest. Unfortunately, both original fixatives and storage fluids strongly influence tissue antigens and nucleic acids preservation.3 [...]
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16
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Scarsbrook L, Mitchell KJ, Mcgee MD, Closs GP, Rawlence NJ. Ancient DNA from the extinct New Zealand grayling ( Prototroctes oxyrhynchus) reveals evidence for Miocene marine dispersal. Zool J Linn Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The evolutionary history of Southern Hemisphere graylings (Retropinnidae) in New Zealand (NZ), including their relationship to the Australian grayling, is poorly understood. The NZ grayling (Prototroctes oxyrhynchus) is the only known fish in NZ to have gone extinct since human arrival there. Despite its historical abundance, only 23 wet and dried, formalin-fixed specimens exist in museums. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing to generate mitogenomes from formalin-fixed P. oxyrhynchus specimens, and analysed these in a temporal phylogenetic framework of retropinnids and osmerids. We recovered a strong sister-relationship between NZ and Australian grayling (P. mareana), with a common ancestor ~13.8 Mya [95% highest posterior density (HPD): 6.1–23.2 Mya], after the height of Oligocene marine inundation in NZ. Our temporal phylogenetic analysis suggests a single marine dispersal between NZ and Australia, although the direction of dispersal is equivocal, followed by divergence into genetically and morphologically distinguishable species through isolation by distance. This study provides further insights into the possible extinction drivers of the NZ grayling, informs discussion regarding reintroduction of Prototroctes to NZ and highlights how advances in palaeogenetics can be used to test evolutionary hypotheses in fish, which, until relatively recently, have been comparatively neglected in ancient-DNA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachie Scarsbrook
- Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand
- Palaeogenomics and Bio-Archaeology Research Network, School of Archaeology, University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
| | - Kieren J Mitchell
- Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand
| | - Matthew D Mcgee
- Behavioural Studies Group, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University , Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
| | - Gerard P Closs
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand
| | - Nicolas J Rawlence
- Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand
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17
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Jensen EL, Leigh DM. Using temporal genomics to understand contemporary climate change responses in wildlife. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9340. [PMID: 36177124 PMCID: PMC9481866 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring the evolutionary responses of species to ongoing global climate change is critical for informing conservation. Population genomic studies that use samples from multiple time points (“temporal genomics”) are uniquely able to make direct observations of change over time. Consequently, only temporal studies can show genetic erosion or spatiotemporal changes in population structure. Temporal genomic studies directly examining climate change effects are currently rare but will likely increase in the coming years due to their high conservation value. Here, we highlight four key genetic indicators that can be monitored using temporal genomics to understand how species are responding to climate change. All indicators crucially rely on having a suitable baseline that accurately represents the past condition of the population, and we discuss aspects of study design that must be considered to achieve this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn L Jensen
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle Upon Tyne UK
| | - Deborah M Leigh
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
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18
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Hawkins MTR, Flores MFC, McGowen M, Hinckley A. A comparative analysis of extraction protocol performance on degraded mammalian museum specimens. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.984056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extraction of nucleic acids is one of the most routine procedures used in molecular biology laboratories, yet kit performance may influence the downstream processing of samples, particularly for samples which are degraded, and in low concentrations. Here we tested several commercial kits for specific use on commonly sampled mammalian museum specimens to evaluate the yield, size distribution, and endogenous content. Samples were weighed and had approximately equal input material for each extraction. These sample types are typical of natural history repositories ranged from 53 to 130 years old. The tested protocols spanned spin-column based extractions, magnetic bead purification, phenol/chloroform isolation, and specific modifications for ancient DNA. Diverse types of mammalian specimens were tested including adherent osteological material, bone and teeth, skin, and baleen. The concentration of DNA was quantified via fluorometry, and the size distributions of extracts visualized on an Agilent TapeStation. Overall, when DNA isolation was successful, all methods had quantifiable concentrations, albeit with variation across extracts. The length distributions varied based on the extraction protocol used. Shotgun sequencing was performed to evaluate if the extraction methods influenced the amount of endogenous versus exogenous content. The DNA content was similar across extraction methods indicating no obvious biases for DNA derived from different sources. Qiagen kits and phenol/chloroform isolation outperformed the Zymo magnetic bead isolations in these types of samples. Statistical analyses revealed that extraction method only explained 5% of the observed variation, and that specimen age explained variation (29%) more effectively.
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19
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Verry AJF, Lubbe P, Mitchell KJ, Rawlence NJ. Thirty years of ancient DNA and the faunal biogeography of Aotearoa New Zealand: lessons and future directions. J R Soc N Z 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2093227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. F. Verry
- Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, Faculté de Médecine Purpan, Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Pascale Lubbe
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kieren J. Mitchell
- Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nicolas J. Rawlence
- Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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20
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Agne S, Naylor GJP, Preick M, Yang L, Thiel R, Weigmann S, Paijmans JLA, Barlow A, Hofreiter M, Straube N. Taxonomic Identification of Two Poorly Known Lantern Shark Species Based on Mitochondrial DNA From Wet-Collection Paratypes. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.910009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Etmopteridae (lantern sharks) is the most species-rich family of sharks, comprising more than 50 species. Many species are described from few individuals, and re-collection of specimens is often hindered by the remoteness of their sampling sites. For taxonomic studies, comparative morphological analysis of type specimens housed in natural history collections has been the main source of evidence. In contrast, DNA sequence information has rarely been used. Most lantern shark collection specimens, including the types, were formalin fixed before long-term storage in ethanol solutions. The DNA damage caused by both fixation and preservation of specimens has excluded these specimens from DNA sequence-based phylogenetic analyses so far. However, recent advances in the field of ancient DNA have allowed recovery of wet-collection specimen DNA sequence data. Here we analyse archival mitochondrial DNA sequences, obtained using ancient DNA approaches, of two wet-collection lantern shark paratype specimens, namely Etmopterus litvinovi and E. pycnolepis, for which the type series represent the only known individuals. Target capture of mitochondrial markers from single-stranded DNA libraries allows for phylogenetic placement of both species. Our results suggest synonymy of E. benchleyi with E. litvinovi but support the species status of E. pycnolepis. This revised taxonomy is helpful for future conservation and management efforts, as our results indicate a larger distribution range of E. litvinovi. This study further demonstrates the importance of wet-collection type specimens as genetic resource for taxonomic research.
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21
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Agne S, Preick M, Straube N, Hofreiter M. Simultaneous Barcode Sequencing of Diverse Museum Collection Specimens Using a Mixed RNA Bait Set. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.909846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of publications presenting results from sequencing natural history collection specimens reflect the importance of DNA sequence information from such samples. Ancient DNA extraction and library preparation methods in combination with target gene capture are a way of unlocking archival DNA, including from formalin-fixed wet-collection material. Here we report on an experiment, in which we used an RNA bait set containing baits from a wide taxonomic range of species for DNA hybridisation capture of nuclear and mitochondrial targets for analysing natural history collection specimens. The bait set used consists of 2,492 mitochondrial and 530 nuclear RNA baits and comprises specific barcode loci of diverse animal groups including both invertebrates and vertebrates. The baits allowed to capture DNA sequence information of target barcode loci from 84% of the 37 samples tested, with nuclear markers being captured more frequently and consensus sequences of these being more complete compared to mitochondrial markers. Samples from dry material had a higher rate of success than wet-collection specimens, although target sequence information could be captured from 50% of formalin-fixed samples. Our study illustrates how efforts to obtain barcode sequence information from natural history collection specimens may be combined and are a way of implementing barcoding inventories of scientific collection material.
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22
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Zamani A, Dal Pos D, Fric ZF, Orfinger AB, Scherz MD, Bartoňová AS, Gante HF. The future of zoological taxonomy is integrative, not minimalist. SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2063964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zamani
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Davide Dal Pos
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra dr. Rm 442, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Zdenek Faltýnek Fric
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, CZ-37005, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander B. Orfinger
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Center for Water Resources, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32301, USA
| | - Mark D. Scherz
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 1350, Denmark
| | - Alena Sucháčková Bartoňová
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, CZ-37005, Czech Republic
| | - Hugo F. Gante
- cE3c—Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Section Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Deberiotstraat 32 box 2439, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 17, Tervuren, 3080, Belgium
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23
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Ruiz-Gartzia I, Lizano E, Marques-Bonet T, Kelley JL. Recovering the genomes hidden in museum wet collections. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 22:2127-2129. [PMID: 35578376 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural history museums hold vast collections of biomaterials. The collections in museums, often painstakingly sampled, are largely unexplored treasures that may help us better understand biodiversity on the planet. Museum collections are a unique window into the past of species long gone or currently declining due to human activity. From a molecular perspective, though, many museum samples are stored under conditions that hasten the damage of DNA, RNA, and proteins. For example, samples in wet collections are those stored in liquid preservatives, typically ethanol. These ethanol-preserved tissues are often, although not always, formalin-fixed prior to storage, which may damage DNA. In this and recent issues of Molecular Ecology Resources, Straube et al. (2021), O'Connell et al. (2022), and (Hahn et al.) explore different types of specimens from museum wet collections as new sources of DNA for scientific studies. All three articles found that for wet museum collections, overall specimen condition mattered most for recovering high quality genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irune Ruiz-Gartzia
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Lizano
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.,Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, Barcelona, Spain.,CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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24
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Contextualizing enigmatic extinctions using genomic DNA from fluid-preserved museum specimens of Desmognathus salamanders. CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01424-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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25
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Zavala EI, Thomas JT, Sturk-Andreaggi K, Daniels-Higginbotham J, Meyers KK, Barrit-Ross S, Aximu-Petri A, Richter J, Nickel B, Berg GE, McMahon TP, Meyer M, Marshall C. Ancient DNA Methods Improve Forensic DNA Profiling of Korean War and World War II Unknowns. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010129. [PMID: 35052469 PMCID: PMC8774965 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The integration of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology into forensic casework has been of particular benefit to the identification of unknown military service members. However, highly degraded or chemically treated skeletal remains often fail to provide usable DNA profiles, even with sensitive mitochondrial (mt) DNA capture and MPS methods. In parallel, the ancient DNA field has developed workflows specifically for degraded DNA, resulting in the successful recovery of nuclear DNA and mtDNA from skeletal remains as well as sediment over 100,000 years old. In this study we use a set of disinterred skeletal remains from the Korean War and World War II to test if ancient DNA extraction and library preparation methods improve forensic DNA profiling. We identified an ancient DNA extraction protocol that resulted in the recovery of significantly more human mtDNA fragments than protocols previously used in casework. In addition, utilizing single-stranded rather than double-stranded library preparation resulted in increased attainment of reportable mtDNA profiles. This study emphasizes that the combination of ancient DNA extraction and library preparation methods evaluated here increases the success rate of DNA profiling, and likelihood of identifying historical remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I. Zavala
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.A.-P.); (J.R.); (B.N.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: (E.I.Z.); (C.M.)
| | - Jacqueline Tyler Thomas
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Kimberly Sturk-Andreaggi
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 08 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Daniels-Higginbotham
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Kerriann K. Meyers
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Suzanne Barrit-Ross
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
| | - Ayinuer Aximu-Petri
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.A.-P.); (J.R.); (B.N.); (M.M.)
| | - Julia Richter
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.A.-P.); (J.R.); (B.N.); (M.M.)
| | - Birgit Nickel
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.A.-P.); (J.R.); (B.N.); (M.M.)
| | - Gregory E. Berg
- Defense Personnel Accounting Agency, Central Identification Laboratory, Hickam Air Force Base, Oahu, HI 96853, USA;
| | - Timothy P. McMahon
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Matthias Meyer
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.A.-P.); (J.R.); (B.N.); (M.M.)
| | - Charla Marshall
- Armed Forces Medical Examiner System’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902, USA; (J.T.T.); (K.S.-A.); (J.D.-H.); (K.K.M.); (S.B.-R.); (T.P.M.)
- SNA International, Contractor Supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
- Forensic Science Program, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA
- Correspondence: (E.I.Z.); (C.M.)
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26
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Haddad CF, Lopes CM, Becker CG, da Silva FR, Lyra ML. From genes to ecosystems: a synthesis of amphibian biodiversity research in Brazil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2022-1375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Here, we summarize examples of significant advances in amphibian research supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), focusing on recent discoveries in the fields of community ecology, habitat change, infection diseases, and multipurpose DNA sequencing. We demonstrated that FAPESP has been fundamental not only by directly funding research projects and scholarships, but also through its science training policy, fostering international collaborations with world-class research institutions, improving and consolidating new lines of research that often depended on a synergetic combination of different knowledge and complex tools. We emphasized that future studies will continue to focus on basic questions, such as description of new species, as well as taxonomic and systematic corrections. Furthermore, we also expect that there will be a strong integration among different disciplines using novel bioinformatics tools and modeling approaches, such as machine learning. These new approaches will be critical to further develop our understanding of foundational questions of amphibian life-history trait variation, disease transmission, community assembly, biogeography, and population forecasts under different global change scenarios such as agricultural expansion, agrochemical use, habitat loss, and climate change.
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Narum S, News JK, Fountain-Jones N, Hooper Junior R, Ortiz-Barrientos D, O'Boyle B, Sibbett B. Editorial 2022. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:1-8. [PMID: 34919782 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Reyes-Velasco J, Goutte* S, Freilich X, Boissinot S. Mitogenomics of historical type specimens clarifies the taxonomy of Ethiopian Ptychadena Boulenger, 1917 (Anura, Ptychadenidae). Zookeys 2021; 1070:135-149. [PMID: 34819775 PMCID: PMC8604866 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1070.66598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The taxonomy of the Ptychadenaneumanni species complex, a radiation of grass frogs inhabiting the Ethiopian highlands, has puzzled scientists for decades because of the morphological resemblance among its members. Whilst molecular phylogenetic methods allowed the discovery of several species in recent years, assigning pre-existing and new names to clades was challenged by the unavailability of molecular data for century-old type specimens. We used Illumina short reads to sequence the mitochondrial DNA of type specimens in this group, as well as ddRAD-seq analyses to resolve taxonomic uncertainties surrounding the P.neumanni species complex. The phylogenetic reconstruction revealed recurrent confusion between Ptychadenaerlangeri (Ahl, 1924) and P.neumanni (Ahl, 1924) in the literature. The phylogeny also established that P.largeni Perret, 1994 represents a junior synonym of P.erlangeri (Ahl, 1924) and distinguished between two small species, P.nana Perret, 1994, restricted to the Arussi Plateau, and P.robeensis Goutte, Reyes-Velasco, Freilich, Kassie & Boissinot, 2021, which inhabits the Bale Mountains. The phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA from type specimens also corroborate the validity of seven recently described species within the group. Our study shows how modern molecular tools applied to historical type specimens can help resolve long-standing taxonomic issues in cryptic species complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobo Reyes-Velasco
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAENew York University Abu DhabiAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Sandra Goutte*
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAENew York University Abu DhabiAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Xenia Freilich
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USACity University of New YorkFlushingUnited States of America
| | - Stéphane Boissinot
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAENew York University Abu DhabiAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
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Hahn EE, Alexander MR, Grealy A, Stiller J, Gardiner DM, Holleley CE. Unlocking inaccessible historical genomes preserved in formalin. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:2130-2147. [PMID: 34549888 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Museum specimens represent an unparalleled record of historical genomic data. However, the widespread practice of formalin preservation has thus far impeded genomic analysis of a large proportion of specimens. Limited DNA sequencing from formalin-preserved specimens has yielded low genomic coverage with unpredictable success. We set out to refine sample processing methods and to identify specimen characteristics predictive of sequencing success. With a set of taxonomically diverse specimens collected between 1962 and 2006 and ranging in preservation quality, we compared the efficacy of several end-to-end whole genome sequencing workflows alongside a k-mer-based trimming-free read alignment approach to maximize mapping of endogenous sequence. We recovered complete mitochondrial genomes and up to 3× nuclear genome coverage from formalin-preserved tissues. Hot alkaline lysis coupled with phenol-chloroform extraction out-performed proteinase K digestion in recovering DNA, while library preparation method had little impact on sequencing success. The strongest predictor of DNA yield was overall specimen condition, which additively interacts with preservation conditions to accelerate DNA degradation. Here, we demonstrate a significant advance in capability beyond limited recovery of a small number of loci via PCR or target-capture sequencing. To facilitate strategic selection of suitable specimens for genomic sequencing, we present a decision-making framework that utilizes independent and nondestructive assessment criteria. Sequencing of formalin-preserved specimens will contribute to a greater understanding of temporal trends in genetic adaptation, including those associated with a changing climate. Our work enhances the value of museum collections worldwide by unlocking genomes of specimens that have been disregarded as a valid molecular resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Hahn
- National Research Collections Australia, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Marina R Alexander
- National Research Collections Australia, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alicia Grealy
- National Research Collections Australia, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jiri Stiller
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Donald M Gardiner
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Clare E Holleley
- National Research Collections Australia, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Straube N, Preick M, Naylor GJP, Hofreiter M. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing of a wet-collection syntype demonstrates the importance of type material as genetic resource for lantern shark taxonomy (Chondrichthyes: Etmopteridae). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210474. [PMID: 34540250 PMCID: PMC8441122 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
After initial detection of target archival DNA of a 116-year-old syntype specimen of the smooth lantern shark, Etmopterus pusillus, in a single-stranded DNA library, we shotgun-sequenced additional 9 million reads from this same DNA library. Sequencing reads were used for extracting mitochondrial sequence information for analyses of mitochondrial DNA characteristics and reconstruction of the mitochondrial genome. The archival DNA is highly fragmented. A total of 4599 mitochondrial reads were available for the genome reconstruction using an iterative mapping approach. The resulting genome sequence has 12 times coverage and a length of 16 741 bp. All 37 vertebrate mitochondrial loci plus the control region were identified and annotated. The mitochondrial NADH2 gene was subsequently used to place the syntype haplotype in a network comprising multiple E. pusillus samples from various distant localities as well as sequences from a morphological similar species, the shortfin smooth lantern shark Etmopterus joungi. Results confirm the almost global distribution of E. pusillus and suggest E. joungi to be a junior synonym of E. pusillus. As mitochondrial DNA often represents the only available reference information in non-model organisms, this study illustrates the importance of mitochondrial DNA from an aged, wet collection type specimen for taxonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Straube
- Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Michaela Preick
- Evolutionary and Adaptive Genomics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Gavin J. P. Naylor
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Cultural Plaza, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-2710, USA
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Evolutionary and Adaptive Genomics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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