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How Gene Marker and PCR Primer Choice Influence DNA Metabarcoding of Aquatic Communities
Citation:
Pilgrim, E., A. Banerji, J. Darling, C. Hatzenbuhler, J. Hoffman, A. Maloy, J. Martinson, R. Mitchell, C. Meredith, S. Okum, A. Trebitz, AND L. Yuan. How Gene Marker and PCR Primer Choice Influence DNA Metabarcoding of Aquatic Communities. 2018 Society of Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, May 20 - 24, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Present on the complexities of marker choice and PCR conditions when applying DNA metabarcoding to aquatic communities.
Description:
Molecular genetic tools like DNA barcoding/metabarcoding hold promise for improving our ability to characterize biotic composition, with relevance to detecting invasive species, monitoring species of concern, or describing diversity for bioassessments. To be most effective, these genetic techniques must work across various levels of biodiversity and while DNA barcoding is touted as ‘universally’ applicable, in practice, this is rarely the case. Using data from ballast water, larval fish, lake zooplankton, and stream periphyton communities, we will discuss how decisions about choice of genetic marker and PCR primers influence analyses of aquatic biodiversity, including taxonomic resolution, species composition, and measures of dominance or rarity of component taxa. We will also discuss the challenge of combining data across multiple genetic markers in an effort to provide guidance for future aquatic DNA barcoding research.
