DNA metabarcoding and morphological identification reveal similar richness, taxonomic composition and body size patterns among flying insect communities

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 449 - 463

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Abstract Tracking insect biodiversity trends and predicting future trajectories is limited by a lack of monitoring data across large spatiotemporal scales. DNA metabarcoding time‐ cost‐efficient method to obtain these data, but has several potential limitations in comparison traditional morphological approaches. For example, may miss low‐abundance or smaller bodied individuals presence/absence information, which bias estimates community composition. However, few comparisons morphology‐based identification have been made using insects, the far most diverse animal taxonomic group. Here, we compared terrestrial communities identified via morphology versus four different habitats three seasons (late spring, mid‐summer early autumn) during 2019. We species richness, composition body size, with focus on key groups bees, true bugs, butterflies hoverflies. 252 total species, 54.8% both methods, whereas 21.4% 19.8% were solely detected morphology, respectively. Overall, size similar between methods. Metabarcoding detection successes declined taxa, particularly hoverflies bugs; however, richness tended be higher identification. Our results show that can provide an accurate overview differences are comparable those determined recommend programmes consider incorporating metabarcoding, although research needed overcome some remaining limitations.

Language: Английский

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Upscaling biodiversity monitoring: Metabarcoding estimates 31,846 insect species from Malaise traps across Germany

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 4, 2024

Abstract Mitigating ongoing losses of insects and their key functions (e.g. pollination) requires tracking large‐scale long‐term community changes. However, doing so has been hindered by the high diversity insect species that prohibitively investments time, funding taxonomic expertise when addressed with conventional tools. Here, we show these concerns can be through a comprehensive, scalable cost‐efficient DNA metabarcoding workflow. We use 1815 samples from 75 Malaise traps across Germany 2019 2020 to demonstrate how incorporated into monitoring networks for less than 50 € per sample, including supplies, labour maintenance. validated detected using two publicly available databases (GBOL GBIF) judgement experts. With an average 1.4 M sequence reads sample uncovered 10,803 species, which 83.9% were represented single Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU). estimated another 21,043 plausible argue either lack reference barcode or are undescribed. The total 31,846 is similar number known (~35,500). Because capture only subset insects, our approach identified many likely unknown new science. Our reproducible workflow (~80% OTU‐similarity among years) provides blueprint biodiversity other components in near real time.

Language: Английский

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Cryptic diversity begets challenges and opportunities in biodiversity research

Integrative Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Abstract How many species of life are there on Earth? This is a question that we want to know but cannot yet answer. Some scholars speculate the number may reach 2.2 billion when considering cryptic diversity and each morphology‐based insect contain an average 3.1 species. With nearly two million described species, such high estimates would suggest widespread. The development molecular delimitation has led discovery large biodiversity gradually entered our field vision attracted more attention. paper introduces concept how they evolve, methods by which be discovered confirmed, provides theoretical methodological guidance for study hidden A workflow confirm provided. In addition, importance reliability multi‐evidence‐based integrated taxonomy reaffirmed as way better standardize decision‐making processes. Special focus increased funding needed ensure in hyperdiverse groups discoverable described. An future will naturally arise difficult studied, thereby, finally understand rules governing evolution maintenance biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Metabarcoding reveals massive species diversity of Diptera in a subtropical ecosystem

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Abstract Diptera is often considered to be the richest insect group due its great species diversity and broad ecological versatility. However, data on dipteran from subtropical ecosystems have hitherto been scarce, lack of studies conducted at an appropriate large scale. We investigated composition communities Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang, China, using DNA metabarcoding technology, evaluated their dynamic responses effects slope aspect, season, altitudinal zone. A total 5,092 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were discovered tentatively assigned 72 families, including 2 family records new for China 30 locality. Cecidomyiidae, Sciaridae, Phoridae predominant representing 53.6% OTUs, while 52 families include >95% unidentified presumed undescribed species. found that community structure was significantly affected by seasonality (month) elevation, with richer harbored in north‐facing than south‐facing slopes, a more profound driver elevation. Overall, massive this ecosystem east China. The huge potentially only revealed now requires detailed study, as step toward evolutionary integration accumulates information species’ geographic ranges, traits, functional roles, interactions, thus places local context growing knowledge base global biodiversity response environmental change.

Language: Английский

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Performance of DNA metabarcoding, standard barcoding and morphological approaches in the identification of insect biodiversity

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

Abstract For two decades, DNA barcoding and, more recently, metabarcoding have been used for molecular species identification and estimating biodiversity. Despite their growing use, few studies systematically evaluated these methods. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of methods in identifying biodiversity, by assessing consistency with traditional morphological evaluating how assignment is influenced taxonomic group, sequence similarity thresholds geographic distance. We first analysed 951 insect specimens across three groups: butterflies, bumblebees parasitic wasps, using both taxonomy single‐specimen COI barcoding. An additional 25,047 butterfly were identified metabarcoding. Finally, we performed a systematic review 99 assess average between identity assigned via morphology examine distribution research effort. Species was 49% found groups, wasps displaying lower due impediment. The number missing matches doubled 100% threshold intraspecific variation increased Metabarcoding results aligned well biodiversity estimates strong positive correlation reads abundance found. revealed an 89% also indicated biases Together, our findings demonstrate that while problems persist, approaches offer robust alternatives assessment.

Language: Английский

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Maximizing Identification Precision of Hymenoptera and Brachycera (Diptera) With a Non‐Destructive DNA Metabarcoding Approach

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT In recent years, DNA metabarcoding has been used for a more efficient assessment of bulk samples. However, there remains paucity studies examining potential disparities in species identification methodologies. Here, we explore the outcomes diverse clustering and filtering techniques on data from non‐destructive approach, compared to species‐level morphological Brachycera (Diptera) Hymenoptera two samples collected with Malaise traps. The study evaluated four distinct approaches, namely Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) or ASVs clustered Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) coupled subsequent using LULU algorithm at 84% 96% minimum match. total, 114 (35 families) 85 (27 were identified morphologically. Depending selected results strongly varied terms detected molecular units blasted brachyceran hymenopteran species. For Brachycera, into OTUs followed by match (OTU96) inferred number closest morphologically Using Syrphidae as an exemplary family, found overlap ranging 9% 81% between different OTU96 being also here one. Hymenoptera, while yielded highest units, it was still considerably low Our show that methodology needs be significantly improved applied Hymenoptera. Conversely, acknowledge promise employing incorporating ASV LULU, derive dependable lists. Such lists hold significant applications biomonitoring, conservation efforts, other related fields.

Language: Английский

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EntoSieve: Automated Size‐Sorting of Insect Bulk Samples to Aid Accurate Megabarcoding and Metabarcoding

Molecular Ecology Resources, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

Widespread insect decline necessitates the development and use of standardized protocols for regular monitoring. These methods have to be rapid, efficient cost-effective allow large-scale implementation. Many sampling molecular been developed. include Malaise trapping, high-throughput DNA barcoding ('megabarcoding') metabarcoding. The latter allows assessing species diversity in whole samples using few steps, but sample heterogeneity terms body size remains a challenge since large insects contribute disproportionately more mtDNA than small ones. This can potentially overwhelm template from that then go undetected. Size-sorting mitigate this problem, no satisfying automated, rapid non-destructive solutions are available. We introduce EntoSieve, low-cost DIY motorized instrument disentangles sorts abundant bulk into several fractions while minimizing damage specimens, thus reducing risk contamination across (e.g. legs specimens fraction). EntoSieve utilizes readily available components, 3D-printed parts customizable meshes, enabling parallelization at low cost. here show efficiency three with 10,000 sieving assess impact on specimen integrity. Efficiency ranged 92% 99%, achieved within 18-60 min, was not significant subsamples. By facilitating pre-processing, device contributes producing morphologically valuable vouchers megabarcoding is likely improve compositional accuracy classes when

Language: Английский

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Evaluating insect assemblages in the tropical forest ecosystem of the Southern Western Ghats: a comparative analysis of standardised sampling strategies employing field-tested protocols

Biologia, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 25, 2025

Language: Английский

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Upscaling biodiversity monitoring: Metabarcoding estimates 31,846 insect species from Malaise traps across Germany

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 7, 2023

Abstract Mitigating ongoing losses of insects and their key functions (e.g., pollination) requires accurately tracking large-scale long-term community changes. However, doing so has been notoriously hindered by uniquely high insect species diversity that prohibitively investments time, funding, taxonomic expertise. Here, we show these concerns can be addressed through a comprehensive, scalable cost-efficient DNA metabarcoding workflow. We use 1,815 samples from 75 Malaise traps across Germany 2019 2020 to demonstrate how incorporated into monitoring networks for less than 50 € per sample, including supplies, labor maintenance. With on average 1.4M sequence reads sample uncovered 10,803 validated species, which 83.9% were represented single OTU. estimated another 21,403 plausible likely either lack reference barcode or are undescribed. The total 31,846 is similar the number known (∼35,500). Because capture only subset insects, our approach identified many unknown new science. Our reproducible workflow (∼80% OTU-similarity among years) provides blueprint biodiversity other components in near real time.

Language: Английский

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Sharing insect data through GBIF: novel monitoring methods, opportunities and standards

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1904)

Published: May 5, 2024

Technological advancements in biological monitoring have facilitated the study of insect communities at unprecedented spatial scales. The progress allows more comprehensive coverage diversity within a given area while minimizing disturbance and reducing need for extensive human labour. Compared with traditional methods, these novel technologies offer opportunity to examine patterns that were previously beyond our reach. However, address pressing scientific inquiries future, data must be easily accessible, interoperable reusable global research community. Biodiversity information standards platforms provide necessary infrastructure standardize share biodiversity data. This paper explores possibilities prerequisites publishing obtained through methods GBIF, most infrastructure. We describe essential components metadata existing occurrence on insects, including extensions. By addressing current opportunities, limitations, future development GBIF's framework, we hope encourage researchers both contribute further models. Wider commitments open initiatives will promote interoperability support cross-disciplinary key policy indicators. article is part theme issue 'Towards toolkit monitoring'.

Language: Английский

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