2020 Arthropod Sampling Research Update | MPG Ranch

2020 Arthropod Sampling Research Update

October 16, 2020

The authors provide an update on the results of arthropod collections and DNA barcoding on MPG Ranch in 2019.

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We study arthropods to document occurrence of specific taxa (e.g. moths), inventory diversity, and better understand the natural history of winged insectivores.

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Since 2017 we have been building a reference database of DNA from local arthropods to document biodiversity and strengthen the results of our study investigating the diet of nocturnal insectivores.

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We used one flight-intercept trap, three pitfall traps, one 18-inch yellow pan, and one 5-inch blue bowl to capture arthropods at each location.

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We sent samples to the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, for analysis.

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We collected 632 samples containing 84,813 specimens. We did not attempt to sequence DNA from every specimen and excluded 21,776 excess taxa.

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The identifications significantly expand the documented biodiversity on MPG Ranch.

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One of the criticisms of DNA barcoding studies is a lack of taxonomic coverage of certain animal groups in reference databases, particularly arthropods.

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We saw a wide range of Barcode Index Number diversity across the landscape, from a low of 382 unique sequences at the Top House to 1,245 near the small pond in Whaley Draw

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We saw high arthropod diversity at sites with water and a high diversity of plant life, like this site near Tongue Creek pond.

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We will continue to summarize the data over the next few months

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Acknowledgments

Previous Research Update

2020 Lewis's Woodpecker Research Update