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Added value of metabarcoding combined with microscopy for evolutionary studies of mammals
Author(s) -
Haarsma AnneJifke,
Siepel Henk,
Gravendeel Barbara
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/zsc.12214
Subject(s) - biology , evolutionary biology , taxon , endangered species , identification (biology) , zoology , ecology , habitat
Metabarcoding – taxon identification from complex mixtures using a standard DNA region – is increasingly used in evolutionary studies. With this method, it is not only possible to delimit species or collect indirect observational data but also to determine diets. Caveats such as false negatives and skewed abundances can be overcome when metabarcoding is combined with traditional methods such as microscopy. Such a combined approach can help deducing why some species went extinct or became endangered whereas others evolved into new lineages. This review will focus on the added value of metabarcoding when combined with traditional methods for evolutionary studies of mammals.