DNA Barcoding of Invertebrates Inhabiting Olive Orchards and Vineyards Accelerates Understudied Mediterranean Biodiversity Assessment

Barbara Anđelić Dmitrović,Mišel Jelić,Lucija Šerić Jelaska,Emilia Rota

doi:10.3390/d14030182

Barbara Anđelić Dmitrović, Mišel Jelić + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030182

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Abstract

The Mediterranean region has a high but unevenly studied level of invertebrate diversity. Genetic-based methods, such as DNA barcoding and metabarcoding, are proposed for biodiversity assessment; however, their application is not always straightforward. The current state of data available in genetic databases limits species identification, especially in the case of certain invertebrate groups. The aim of the study was (1) to assess the diversity of seven invertebrate groups, which are potential prey for predatory arthropods, in order to facilitate the analysis of the metabarcoding of trophic interactions and, thus, expand our knowledge on biocontrol potential, and (2) to estimate the representation of local species in BOLD and NCBI GenBank databases. The DNA barcoding results consisting of sequences for 269 specimens, collected in Zadar County, within Mediterranean part of Croatia, were used for species identification and species richness assessment through the comparison of our data with the data available in BOLD and NCBI databases, and by applying species delimitation methods. Previous barcode records enabled Lepidopteran, Hemipteran, Dipteran, and Hymenopteran species identification, while Collembolan and Oligochaetes species numbers were assessed using species delimitation. Our results showed that a high number of species were unique to the study area, especially in the case of Collembolans and Oligochaetes. We confirmed that the studied area is under-researched, which was particularly evident in taxonomically demanding groups, such as Collembolans and Oligochaetes, which are rich in rare endemic species.

Highlights

DNA barcoding is considered to be a valuable tool for rapid species identification, as it is based on molecular data and does not require specific expertise in morphological taxonomy [1,2]
Our results revealed a lower coverage of sequences in databases for Collembolans and Oligochaetes, and a better coverage for Lepidopterans, Hemipterans, Dipterans, and Hymenopterans
The highest number of species and morphospecies was observed for Hemipterans and Dipterans, due to their high abundance in agricultural areas

Summary

Introduction

DNA barcoding is considered to be a valuable tool for rapid species identification, as it is based on molecular data and does not require specific expertise in morphological taxonomy [1,2]. The most common molecular marker used in the DNA barcoding of animals is the mitochondrial gene coding for cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI). 2003, when the DNA barcoding method was suggested [3], up to now, it has been used for taxonomic, phylogenetic, biodiversity, and monitoring purposes [2,4–8], and numerous barcode projects have been undertaken to support species identification [7–12]. The DNA barcoding method has been successful in detecting unrecorded species, as well as in highlighting biodiversity, as shown with the example of dipteran fauna in Bavaria, Germany [13]. The use of DNA barcoding in diversity assessments has shown its usefulness in different regions and for different groups [14–16]. Despite the extensive efforts being invested in submitting data to the National Center for Biotechnology

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