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Astudillo-Clavijo V, Mankis T, López-Fernández H. Opening the Museum's Vault: Historical Field Records Preserve Reliable Ecological Data. Am Nat 2024; 203:305-322. [PMID: 38358812 DOI: 10.1086/728422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
AbstractMuseum specimens have long served as foundational data sources for ecological, evolutionary, and environmental research. Continued reimagining of museum collections is now also generating new types of data associated with but beyond physical specimens, a concept known as "extended specimens." Field notes penned by generations of naturalists contain firsthand ecological observations associated with museum collections and comprise a form of extended specimens with the potential to provide novel ecological data spanning broad geographic and temporal scales. Despite their data-yielding potential, however, field notes remain underutilized in research because of their heterogeneous, unstandardized, and qualitative nature. We introduce an approach for transforming descriptive ecological notes into quantitative data suitable for statistical analysis. Tests with simulated and real-world published data show that field notes and our transformation approach retain reliable quantitative ecological information under a range of sample sizes and evolutionary scenarios. Unlocking the wealth of data contained within field records could facilitate investigations into the ecology of clades whose diversity, distribution, or other demographic features present challenges to traditional ecological studies, improve our understanding of long-term environmental and evolutionary change, and enhance predictions of future change.
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Neave EF, Cai W, Arias MB, Harper LR, Riesgo A, Mariani S. Trapped DNA fragments in marine sponge specimens unveil North Atlantic deep-sea fish diversity. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230771. [PMID: 37644836 PMCID: PMC10465980 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Sponges pump water to filter feed and for diffusive oxygen uptake. In doing so, trace DNA fragments from a multitude of organisms living around them are trapped in their tissues. Here we show that the environmental DNA retrieved from archived marine sponge specimens can reconstruct the fish communities at the place of sampling and discriminate North Atlantic assemblages according to biogeographic region (from Western Greenland to Svalbard), depth habitat (80-1600 m), and even the level of protection in place. Given the cost associated with ocean biodiversity surveys, we argue that targeted and opportunistic sponge samples - as well as the specimens already stored in museums and other research collections - represent an invaluable trove of biodiversity information that can significantly extend the reach of ocean monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika F. Neave
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
- Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Wang Cai
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Maria Belén Arias
- Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Lynsey R. Harper
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
- The Freshwater Biological Association, The Hedley Wing, YMCA North Campus, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Cumbria LA12 8BD, UK
| | - Ana Riesgo
- Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid, Calle José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefano Mariani
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom St, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
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Heckenhauer J, Razuri-Gonzales E, Mwangi FN, Schneider J, Pauls SU. Holotype sequencing of Silvataresholzenthali Rázuri-Gonzales, Ngera & Pauls, 2022 (Trichoptera, Pisuliidae). Zookeys 2023; 1159:1-15. [PMID: 37213527 PMCID: PMC10193998 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1159.98439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
While DNA barcodes are increasingly provided in descriptions of new species, the whole mitochondrial and nuclear genomes are still rarely included. This is unfortunate because whole genome sequencing of holotypes allows perpetual genetic characterization of the most representative specimen for a given species. Thus, de novo genomes are invaluable additional diagnostic characters in species descriptions, provided the structural integrity of the holotype specimens remains intact. Here, we used a minimally invasive method to extract DNA of the type specimen of the recently described caddisfly species Silvataresholzenthali Rázuri-Gonzales, Ngera & Pauls, 2022 (Trichoptera: Pisuliidae) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A low-cost next generation sequencing strategy was used to generate the complete mitochondrial and draft nuclear genome of the holotype. The data in its current form is an important extension to the morphological species description and valuable for phylogenomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Heckenhauer
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, GermanySenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE‐TBG), Frankfurt, GermanyLOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity GenomicsFrankfurtGermany
| | - Ernesto Razuri-Gonzales
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, GermanySenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Francois Ngera Mwangi
- Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the CongoCentre de Recherche en Sciences NaturellesBukavuDemocratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Julio Schneider
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, GermanySenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Steffen U. Pauls
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, GermanySenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE‐TBG), Frankfurt, GermanyLOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity GenomicsFrankfurtGermany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, GermanyJustus-Liebig-UniversityGießenGermany
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González-Toral C, Cires E. Relevance of DNA preservation for future botany and ecology. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5125-5131. [PMID: 36214196 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The use of molecular methods in plant systematics and taxonomy has increased during the last decades; however, the accessibility of curated genetic samples and their metadata is a bottleneck for DNA-based genetic studies in botany. Plant biodiversity DNA banks and DNA-friendly collections could be critical suppliers of curated genetic material for researchers in the current context of plant biodiversity loss. Here, we aimed to understand the potential of plant DNA banks and DNA-friendly collections to enhance the growth and openness of scientific knowledge. The preservation of genetic material should become part of a natural collection's process for the generation of extended specimens enabling the preservation of both the phenotype and genotype and contributing to the generation of data networks which cross-fertilize other fields. These curated collections are advantageous in endangered species research, detecting processes related to extinction, giving a genetic dimension to IUCN assessments or completing the Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants. Therefore, DNA collections are fundamental in producing FAIR data, responsible research and innovation (RRI) and meeting the goals of international conservation programmes. The completion of natural collections is important for current research efforts and furthermore vital to support future research in an era of ongoing plant biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Cires
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,Institute of Natural Resources and Territorial Planning (INDUROT), Mieres, Spain
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Sheehan MJ, Miller SE. The promises and challenges of archiving insect behavior and natural history in a changing world. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2021; 45:115-120. [PMID: 33857642 PMCID: PMC8316380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Insect behavioral ecologists are not routinely archiving their behavioral media files and natural history observations. This is especially problematic because most behaviors are not preserved by the physical specimens stored in typical natural history collections. Improving the reporting and archiving of insect behavior and natural history data holds the promise of allowing scientists to track real-time responses of animals to global change and will preserve aspects of natural history that might otherwise be lost due to extinctions. Here we argue that behavioral ecologists should work to preserve and archive raw media files and field notes related to behavior and natural history of their study organisms. One major mechanism to incentivize archiving of such data would be for journals to develop policies for archiving of natural history data that is the focus of the paper or ancillary information collected about study subjects. Buy in from researchers, journals, and funding agencies will be needed to make substantial changes in data archiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Sheehan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Sara E Miller
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
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Thompson CW, Phelps KL, Allard MW, Cook JA, Dunnum JL, Ferguson AW, Gelang M, Khan FAA, Paul DL, Reeder DM, Simmons NB, Vanhove MPM, Webala PW, Weksler M, Kilpatrick CW. Preserve a Voucher Specimen! The Critical Need for Integrating Natural History Collections in Infectious Disease Studies. mBio 2021; 12:e02698-20. [PMID: 33436435 PMCID: PMC7844540 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02698-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being nearly 10 months into the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the definitive animal host for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causal agent of COVID-19, remains unknown. Unfortunately, similar problems exist for other betacoronaviruses, and no vouchered specimens exist to corroborate host species identification for most of these pathogens. This most basic information is critical to the full understanding and mitigation of emerging zoonotic diseases. To overcome this hurdle, we recommend that host-pathogen researchers adopt vouchering practices and collaborate with natural history collections to permanently archive microbiological samples and host specimens. Vouchered specimens and associated samples provide both repeatability and extension to host-pathogen studies, and using them mobilizes a large workforce (i.e., biodiversity scientists) to assist in pandemic preparedness. We review several well-known examples that successfully integrate host-pathogen research with natural history collections (e.g., yellow fever, hantaviruses, helminths). However, vouchering remains an underutilized practice in such studies. Using an online survey, we assessed vouchering practices used by microbiologists (e.g., bacteriologists, parasitologists, virologists) in host-pathogen research. A much greater number of respondents permanently archive microbiological samples than archive host specimens, and less than half of respondents voucher host specimens from which microbiological samples were lethally collected. To foster collaborations between microbiologists and natural history collections, we provide recommendations for integrating vouchering techniques and archiving of microbiological samples into host-pathogen studies. This integrative approach exemplifies the premise underlying One Health initiatives, providing critical infrastructure for addressing related issues ranging from public health to global climate change and the biodiversity crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody W Thompson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Marc W Allard
- Center of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph A Cook
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jonathan L Dunnum
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Adam W Ferguson
- Gantz Family Collections Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Magnus Gelang
- Gothenburg Natural History Museum, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Deborah L Paul
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Species File Group, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Nancy B Simmons
- Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maarten P M Vanhove
- Hasselt University, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Paul W Webala
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok, Kenya
| | - Marcelo Weksler
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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