Expanded DNA Collection Aims to Enhance Genetic Database of Marine Creatures
In a groundbreaking development, the West Coast Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (WC-OBON) has unveiled a comprehensive guide to advance the emerging field of environmental DNA (eDNA) - a cost-effective, minimally invasive, and scalable tool for monitoring biodiversity. This guide, titled "Introduction to Developing DNA Reference Barcode Sequences," is now publicly available on Zenodo.
The new DNA guide primarily focuses on advanced DNA sequencing technologies and eDNA monitoring techniques. This approach uses genetic material found in seawater to identify and track marine species without the need for physical capture or observation. It relies on DNA barcoding, which examines short, species-specific genetic sequences, typically the CO1 gene, to distinguish different marine organisms accurately.
This guide offers numerous benefits for ocean biodiversity monitoring. It provides real-time insights into marine ecosystem health with minimal disturbance to wildlife. It also allows for the detection of endangered species, previously unknown species, and invasive organisms early, aiding timely conservation actions. Furthermore, it enables researchers to monitor ecosystem changes and species adaptation to climate change, such as how corals resist warming waters or how fish populations shift.
The guide also supports the creation of high-quality reference genomes for threatened marine species, like the endangered Hector's and critically endangered Māui dolphins. These genomes help understand species' past populations, adaptations, and vulnerabilities, informing targeted protections. Additionally, it facilitates mapping of genetic diversity and connectivity of marine populations, which aids in designing better marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management strategies.
Scripps Oceanography, one of the world's most important centers for global earth science research and education, is among the institutions that have embraced this innovative guide. The guide prioritizes the use of voucher specimens for database entries and aims to ensure the accuracy and consistency of DNA submitted to global databases like GenBank or the Barcode of Life Data System.
Experts from Scripps Oceanographic Collections, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles provided recommendations for the guide. The project was a voluntary effort led by members of the WC-OBON and collaborators, without dedicated funding.
Collaborators on the guide include WC-OBON leaders from UC San Diego, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), and the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). The guide will serve as a how-to manual for researchers, including those specializing in field identification, museum curation, or DNA sequencing, to contribute to the holistic effort.
Open science and fair practices are at the heart of the guide. Gold, a renowned expert in the field, appreciates the knowledge and nuance involved in building DNA reference libraries. The guide offers recommendations for every stage of collecting, identifying, and analyzing marine specimens.
This new guide will significantly contribute to supporting emerging California-based projects focused on intertidal species. It will revolutionize ocean biodiversity monitoring by combining genomics with traditional marine biology, leading to more precise, comprehensive, and less invasive methods to safeguard marine life and ecosystems for the future.
- The guide, developed by the West Coast Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (WC-OBON), focuses on oceanographic research that involves advanced DNA sequencing technologies and eDNA monitoring techniques, largely centered around the field of science.
- This approach, relying on cutting-edge technology, analyzes short genetic sequences to distinguish different marine organisms, encouraging advancements in environmental-science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and environmental conservation.
- The guide will benefit the fitness-and-exercise community by providing new, minimally invasive methods for monitoring marine biodiversity, while also supporting sustainable environmental practices and fostering the growth of scientific research.
