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The efficacy of DNA barcoding in the classification, biodiversity and environmental assessment of benthic macroinvertebrates
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  • Yihao Ge,
  • Chengxin Xia,
  • Jun Wang,
  • Xiujie Zhang,
  • Xu-Fa Ma,
  • Qiong Zhou
Yihao Ge
Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Chengxin Xia
Huazhong Agricultural University
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Jun Wang
Yunnan University
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Xiujie Zhang
Huazhong Agricultural University
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Xu-Fa Ma
College of Fisheries
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Qiong Zhou
Huazhong Agricultural University
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Abstract

Macroinvertebrates have been recognized as key ecological indicators of environmental and biodiversity assessment in aquatic ecosystems. However, species identification of macroinvertebrates (especially aquatic insects) proves to be very difficult due to lack of expertise. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of DNA barcoding for the classification of benthic macroinvertebrates and investigated the genetic differentiation in nine taxonomic groups (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Odonata, Mollusca and Annelida) from four large transboundary rivers of northwest China, and further explored its potential application to environment and biodiversity assessment. A total of 1227 COI sequences, belonging to 189 species, 122 genera and 59 families were obtained. The barcode gap analysis supported species status using the barcode gap approach. Meanwhile, NJ phylogenetic trees showed that all species group into single-species representing clusters whether from the same population or not, except two species (Polypedilum. laetum and Polypedilum. bullum). The ABGD analysis divided into 190 OTUs (P = 0.0599) and BIN analysis generated 201 different BINs. Phylogenetic diversity (PD) metrics can reflect environmental stress and serve as a metrics of Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to reflect the degree of disturbance in river systems.
19 May 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
21 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
21 May 2020Assigned to Editor
28 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
25 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
30 Nov 20201st Revision Received
01 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
01 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
01 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 Feb 20212nd Revision Received
01 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
01 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
01 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept