ROUND TABLE: Using metabarcoding in entomology

Abstract

An alternative of morphological identification of insects could be an approach such as DNA barcoding utilizing all animal remains as well as nest, mushroom and soil dusts to provide reliable species level identifications. Using metabarcoding approach delivered a detailed picture of the taxonomic diversity of insects accumulated in different biotopes, such as nests of birds and small mice, in mushrooms, in soil cover and so on. By this method detected more than four times as many taxa founded by traditional entomological traps. The taxonomic diversity is greatly varied between the “common” traps and metabarcoding data of the same biotopes (one kind of nest, mushroom, soil). Metabarcoding of insects remains and eDNA in dust samples is a viable alternative to studying the different types of birds and mammals nest communities, insects complex in mushrooms and soil covers solely via traditional traps. These samples can capture a much broader taxonomic range and are not restricted to live organisms. Additionally, the metabarcoding approach allowed for the identification of fur and feathers used as nest materials, remains of animals’ dietary samples, species living exclusively in bird and mice nests (include their parasites), mushrooms and complex insects and other groups of arthropods of upper parts soil covers.

Speaker

Vasily V. Anikin
Saratov State University
Russia

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