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Characterizing DNA preservation in degraded specimens of A mara alpina ( C arabidae: C oleoptera)
Author(s) -
Heintzman Peter D.,
Elias Scott A.,
Moore Karen,
Paszkiewicz Konrad,
Barnes Ian
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
molecular ecology resources
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.96
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1755-0998
pISSN - 1755-098X
DOI - 10.1111/1755-0998.12205
Subject(s) - biology , ancient dna , metagenomics , mitochondrial dna , dna , sanger sequencing , dna sequencing , population , shotgun sequencing , polymerase chain reaction , dna extraction , genetics , gene , demography , sociology
DNA preserved in degraded beetle ( C oleoptera) specimens, including those derived from dry‐stored museum and ancient permafrost‐preserved environments, could provide a valuable resource for researchers interested in species and population histories over timescales from decades to millenia. However, the potential of these samples as genetic resources is currently unassessed. Here, using Sanger and Illumina shotgun sequence data, we explored DNA preservation in specimens of the ground beetle A mara alpina , from both museum and ancient environments. Nearly all museum specimens had amplifiable DNA , with the maximum amplifiable fragment length decreasing with age. Amplification of DNA was only possible in 45% of ancient specimens. Preserved mitochondrial DNA fragments were significantly longer than those of nuclear DNA in both museum and ancient specimens. Metagenomic characterization of extracted DNA demonstrated that parasite‐derived sequences, including W olbachia and S piroplasma , are recoverable from museum beetle specimens. Ancient DNA extracts contained beetle DNA in amounts comparable to museum specimens. Overall, our data demonstrate that there is great potential for both museum and ancient specimens of beetles in future genetic studies, and we see no reason why this would not be the case for other orders of insect.