Abstract Detail

Bryology and Lichenology

Wright, Benjamin [1], Leavitt, Steven [2], ST CLAIR, LARRY L [3].

Next-Gen Sequencing for Next-Gen Biomonitoring: Using a Community Metabarcoding Approach to Assess Species Diversity for Lichen-forming Fungi.

Lichens are commonly used in bio-monitoring research to assess ecological health under a range of different strategies, e.g., assessing elemental accumulation patterns, investigating the presence or absence of indicator species, and comprehensive floristic inventories, etc. Comprehensive lichen inventories at biomonitoring reference sites can provide important insights into potential impacts of disturbances by documenting overall diversity and the presence of indicator species (e.g., pollution-tolerant or pollution-sensitive lichens), in addition to providing important information concerning community structure and species distribution patterns. However, generating comprehensive lichen inventories is time and labor intensive, often requiring specialized professional researchers with diverse backgrounds and multiple sampling attempts. Due to the limited number of specialists and challenges with generating objective species inventories, investigating alternative sampling strategies for compiling lichen inventories for biomonitoring research using lichens may improve efficacy and objectivity. The aim of our study is to determine if a community DNA meta-barcoding approach can provide an objective cost- and time-effective alternative for generating reliable, comprehensive site-specific inventories for lichen-forming fungi. We tested this strategy at a previously-established lichen biomonitoring reference site in the Great Basin, Nevada. Here, we compare data from individual meta-community sampling efforts and different DNA extraction methods to the previously-established lichen inventory for this site. Libraries from PCR amplicons of the ITS2 region of the internal transcribed spacer region from meta-community samples were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. These results were compared to the initial, traditional inventory, and DNA sequence data generated from vouchered specimens. Based on our results, we discuss the strengths and limitations (including cost, time, and consistency of results) of using a community metabarcoding approach for assessing biodiversity for lichen-forming fungi.

1 - BYU, Exercise Science and ML Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
2 - Brigham Young University, Department of Biology & M. L. Bean Life Science Museum, 4143 Life Science Building, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
3 - Brigham Young University, Biology and M.L. Bean Life Science Museum, 1115 M.L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA

Keywords:
Fungal Barcoding
Great Basin
Inventories
MiSeq
ITS.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 28, Bryology and Lichenology (ABLS) II
Location: Sundance 1/Omni Hotel
Date: Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: 28002
Abstract ID:99
Candidate for Awards:A. J. Sharp Award