Dark taxa in dark environments: eDNA in subterranean systems

Dr Nicole White1, Dr Michelle Guzik2, Dr Nick Murphy3, Professor Morten Allentoft1

1Curtin University, Perth, Australia, 2The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, 3La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract:

Australia’s subterranean ecosystems (i.e. dark environments) are internationally recognized as biodiversity hotspots for subterranean taxa with a large number of short-range endemics (SREs) and for having one of the highest subterranean taxa densities in the world. Despite considerable research in the last two decades thousands of species (i.e. dark taxa) remain undescribed and/or undiscovered. Many of the dark taxa being SREs have been isolated and evolving for thousands, if not millions of years which presents challenges when using the standard approach of metabarcoding and assigning taxonomy to sequences from reference databases. Here we examine the use of mitogenomes from selected taxa across a geographical gradient to examine the intra-species and/or intra-genera diversity to elucidate acceptable cut-off thresholds for taxonomy independent analyses of metabarcoding datasets. In addition, these mitogenomes will provide the required baseline for new and optimized eDNA marker development for subterranean biodiversity surveys and environmental impact assessments.


Biography:

Nicole is a Research Scientist and the Lab Manager for the Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory. Nicole’s research focuses on the use of cutting-edge and traditional molecular approaches for the conservation and protection of Australia’s unique fauna. Nicole’s current research involves the development of eDNA tools for subterranean fauna detection from environmental substrates such as groundwater and sediment.

Date

Mar 21 - 23 2022
Expired!