Abstract
This study summarizes results of a DNA barcoding campaign on German Diptera, involving analysis of 45,040 specimens. The resultant DNA barcode library includes records for 2,453 named species comprising a total of 5,200 barcode index numbers (BINs), including 2,700 COI haplotype clusters without species‐level assignment, so called “dark taxa.” Overall, 88 out of 117 families (75%) recorded from Germany were covered, representing more than 50% of the 9,544 known species of German Diptera. Until now, most of these families, especially the most diverse, have been taxonomically inaccessible. By contrast, within a few years this study provided an intermediate taxonomic system for half of the German Dipteran fauna, which will provide a useful foundation for subsequent detailed, integrative taxonomic studies. Using DNA extracts derived from bulk collections made by Malaise traps, we further demonstrate that species delineation using BINs and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) constitutes an effective method for biodiversity studies using DNA metabarcoding. As the reference libraries continue to grow, and gaps in the species catalogue are filled, BIN lists assembled by metabarcoding will provide greater taxonomic resolution. The present study has three main goals: (a) to provide a DNA barcode library for 5,200 BINs of Diptera; (b) to demonstrate, based on the example of bulk extractions from a Malaise trap experiment, that DNA barcode clusters, labelled with globally unique identifiers (such as OTUs and/or BINs), provide a pragmatic, accurate solution to the “taxonomic impediment”; and (c) to demonstrate that interim names based on BINs and OTUs obtained through metabarcoding provide an effective method for studies on species‐rich groups that are usually neglected in biodiversity research projects because of their unresolved taxonomy.
Highlights
Recent evidence for major declines in insect populations has provoked intense public concern
Using DNA extracts derived from bulk collections made by Malaise traps, we further demonstrate that species delineation using interim names based on barcode index numbers (BINs) and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) constitutes an effective method for biodiversity studies using DNA metabarcoding
The present study has three main goals: (a) to provide a DNA barcode library for 5,200 BINs of Diptera; (b) to demonstrate, based on the example of bulk extractions from a Malaise trap experiment, that DNA barcode clusters, labelled with globally unique identifiers, provide a pragmatic, accurate solution to the “taxonomic impediment”; and (c) to demonstrate that interim names based on BINs and OTUs obtained through metabarcoding is an effective method for studies on species‐rich groups that are usually neglected in biodiversity research projects because of their unresolved taxonomy
Summary
Recent evidence for major declines in insect populations has provoked intense public concern. Sequenced taxa can subsequently be associated with established binomens by taxonomic specialists using a reverse taxonomy approach, based on accurately identified museum specimens (ideally type specimens) and expert knowledge During this process, specimens that belong to unnamed molecular character‐based units (operational taxonomic units [OTUs] or barcode index numbers [BINs]) will either be referenced to known species or they may represent overlooked species that are new to science (Geiger, Moriniere, et al, 2016). The BIN system enables analyses that are equivalent to studies based on named species, that is where the underlying specimens are identified by specialists using traditional methods (i.e., morphology) The latter will play a special role in the processing, classification and genetic inventorying of less‐ explored “dark taxa,” which have been treated and processed with less priority by previous DNA barcoding activities. The present study has three main goals: (a) to provide a DNA barcode library for 5,200 BINs of Diptera; (b) to demonstrate, based on the example of bulk extractions from a Malaise trap experiment, that DNA barcode clusters, labelled with globally unique identifiers (such as OTUs and/or BINs), provide a pragmatic, accurate solution to the “taxonomic impediment”; and (c) to demonstrate that interim names based on BINs and OTUs obtained through metabarcoding is an effective method for studies on species‐rich groups that are usually neglected in biodiversity research projects because of their unresolved taxonomy
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