DNA Barcoding and Community Ecology of European Water Beetles
DNA barcoding is a method for species identification based on a standardized mitochondrial generegion. A database of the chosen gene (the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1) for every species is being assembled by researchers around the world and will be available as an identification tool for any unknown sample.For poorly known faunas an initial screening based on the DNA barcode can often lead to discoveries of new species. While the concept and use of DNA barcoding is very promising there are some limitations and problems. In particular young recently diverged species will not be discriminated and there is a wide overlap between intraspecific and interspecific variation in the gene.
A large DNA dataset of European water beetles is being used to analyze these issues in addition to exploring how dispersal, turnover and community structure can be approached with a barcoding dataset. In particular we are testing how life in more stable environments (running, lotic, water) versus life in more temporary habitats (standing, lentic waters) affect the dispersal propensity, geographic turnover and community structure, analyzed on the haplotype level of diversity.
The project is done in collaboration with Alfried Vogler , Imperial College and Natural History Museum London.
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About Alfried Vogler
Project leader:
Johannes Bergsten
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