New molecular methods to assess biodiversity. Potentials and pitfalls of DNA metabarcoding: a workshop report

Abstract

This report presents the outcome of the joint work of PhD students and senior researchers working with DNA-based biodiversity assessment approaches with the goal to facilitate others the access to definitions and explanations about novel DNA-based methods. The work was performed during a PhD course (SLU PNS0169) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. The course was co-organized by the EU COST research network DNAqua-Net and the SLU Research Schools Focus on Soils and Water (FoSW) and Ecology - basics and applications. DNAqua-Net (COST Action CA15219, 2016-2020) is a network connecting researchers, water managers, politicians and other stakeholders with the aim to develop new genetic tools for bioassessment of aquatic ecosystems in Europe and beyond. The PhD course offered a comprehensive overview of the paradigm shift from traditional morphology-based species identification to novel identification approaches based on molecular markers. We covered the use of molecular tools in both basic research and applied use with a focus on aquatic ecosystem assessment, from species collection to the use of diversity in environmental legislation. The focus of the course was on DNA (meta)barcoding and aquatic organisms. The knowledge gained was shared with the general public by creating Wikipedia pages and through this collaborative Open Access publication, co-authored by all course participants.

Keywords

DNA barcoding; biodiversity; molecular identification; aquatic organisms; metabarcoding

Published in

Research Ideas and Outcomes
2019, volume: 5, article number: e38915

SLU Authors

• Kahlert, Maria

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Castro, David

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Di Bernardi, Cecilia

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Meriggi, Carlotta

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sargac, Jasmina

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Shahbaz, Muhammad

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wallin Kihlberg, Isa

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bohman, Patrik

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Peura, Sari

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Roslin, Tomas

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Strand, Malin

  • SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Terenius, Olle

  • Uppsala University

• Bailet, Bonnie

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.5.e38915

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/101553