Innovative integration of high-throughput DNA barcoding, transcriptome-based constrained phylogenetics, hyperspectral imaging, and morphology to assess and characterize a poorly known fauna

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Steffen U. Pauls
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology) ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: from 2017 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 351914540

We propose a new paradigm of species descriptions integrating morphological and molecular methods. Africa is an ideal testing ground, because there are likely to be hundreds of undescribed species available in any significant collection. We will generate transcriptomes for all African caddisfly families, and then sequence two genes for hundreds of morphospecies (mtCOI, 28S rRNA) from previously and newly collected Trichoptera communities of Afrotropical regions (Bale Mts in Ethiopia, Albertine Rift and Congo Basin in DR Congo, and Benin) using high-thoughput sequencing technologies. We will use a conservative DNA taxonomy approach for delimiting species based on monophyly of rRNA+mtDNA clades and compare this with modern coalescent-based multi-locus species delimitations to help develop a baseline taxonomy of caddisflies in Africa. We will also use hyperspectral imaging as an additional, independent character set to help delimit difficult species complexes. To place the newly identified and rediscovered diversity of caddisflies on a species-level tree of life, we will use transcriptome sequences to build a backbone phylogeny, upon which we can then fill out a species-level phylogeny from our two genes. This fully resolved, species rich, multi-gene phylogeny will allow us to make rapid, accurate diagnoses for hundreds of taxa currently new to science. These new species will be illustrated with diagnostic schematics and described in collaboration with a network of taxonomic experts. The project will be an example of merging the speed and efficiency of DNA taxonomy with time tested morphological concepts of species description.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1991: Taxon-Omics: New approaches for discovering and naming biodiversity
• International Connection: USA
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Karl Kjer; Christian Nansen