Great Lakes DNA barcode reference library: Mollusca, Annelida, and minor phyla

Session: Application of Genomic Tools to Inform Management of the Great Lakes (4)

Susan Daniel, Buffalo State College, Great Lakes Center, danielse@buffalostate.edu
Lyubov Burlakova, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State , burlakle@buffalostate.edu
Alexander Karatayev, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State, karataay@buffalostate.edu
Knut Mehler, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State, mehlerk@buffalostate.edu
Paul Hebert, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, phebert@uoguelph.ca
Michael Pfrender, Department of Biological Sciences & Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame, Michael.Pfrender.1@nd.edu
David Lodge, Cornell University, dml356@cornell.edu
Anett Trebitz, U.S. EPA, Trebitz.Anett@epa.gov

Abstract

DNA-based tools have greatly improved both their sensitivity and costs in recent years, and thus can increase the scope of diversity surveys and early detection of aquatic invasive species compared with traditional sampling approaches. The development of more complete species-specific libraries of DNA signatures is an essential step to enable more taxonomically rich and spatially extensive species surveillance and monitoring programs in the Laurentian Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Center aims to expand the taxonomic coverage of The Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) DNA barcoding reference library and has assembled a large collaborative team including leading barcoding and taxonomic experts for a wide diversity of targeted taxa. By preliminary estimations, 70% of Annelida, 34% of Bivalvia, and 56% of Gastropoda, and 70% of other taxa (Bryozoa, Cnidaria, Kamptozoa, Nematomorpha, Nemertea, Platyhelminthes, and Porifera) known from the Great Lakes lack catalogued barcodes. We already collected over 100 samples in the Great Lakes and their watershed and identified over 80 species needed for barcoding. Two other collaborative teams (Cornell University and University of Notre Dame) are working on barcoding zooplankton and benthic arthropoda species. In this presentation we will discuss our results, challenges and plans for this ongoing collaborative effort.