Transcript Taxonomic Value Chain (in rough sequence)

Overview of
DNA Barcoding, the
Barcode of Life Initiative,
and their roles in Africa
Scott E. Miller, Chair, CBOL Executive
Committee
Smithsonian Institution
[email protected]; http://www.barcoding.si.edu
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Poor representation of systematics
infrastructure in Africa
Human resources
also thinly distributed
• Stuckenberg (1964): most systematics done
outside of Africa, but only 7% of world
entomologists working on Africa
• Gaston & May (1992): only 4% of ecologists & 7%
of systematists in Africa
• Surveys by CABI (1993), ICIPE (1996),
SAFRINET (1998) show same trends
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
CBOL outreach to Africa
• South Africa and Kenya involved from
beginning of CBOL in May 2004
• Regional workshops:
Southern, Eastern, Western
• Activities underway -- birds, fish,
mosquitos, fruit flies
• Activities pending -- scales, invasives,
mammals/conservation
• Activities future – your choice
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Species Identification Matters
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Endangered/protected species
Agricultural pests
Invasive species
Disease vectors/pathogens
Hazards (e.g., bird strikes on airplanes)
Environmental quality indicators
Unsustainable harvesting
Fidelity of cell lines/culture collections
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Uses of DNA Barcodes
Applied tool for identifying regulated species:
• Biodiversity research and conservation
• Environmental quality indicators
• Disease vectors, agricultural pests, invasives
• Protection of threatened species
“Triage” tool for flagging potential new species:
• Undescribed and cryptic species
Research tool for assigning specimens to known
species, including:
• Comprehensive Species Concepts: Associating all
life history stages, damaged specimens, gut
contents, droppings
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Identification capabilities vital to
prevention
and control of invasive species:
Cassava mealybug biocontrol failed until the
identification was right!
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Uses of DNA Barcodes
Applied tool for identifying regulated species:
• Biodiversity research and conservation
• Environmental quality indicators
• Disease vectors, agricultural pests, invasives
• Protection of threatened species
“Triage” tool for flagging potential new species:
• Undescribed and cryptic species
Research tool for assigning specimens to known
species, including:
• Comprehensive Species Concepts: Associating all
life history stages, damaged specimens, gut
contents, droppings
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Uses of DNA Barcodes
Applied tool for identifying regulated species:
• Biodiversity research and conservation
• Environmental quality indicators
• Disease vectors, agricultural pests, invasives
• Protection of threatened species
“Triage” tool for flagging potential new species:
• Undescribed and cryptic species
Research tool for assigning specimens to
known species, including:
• Comprehensive Species Concepts:
Associating all life history stages, damaged
specimens, gut contents, droppings
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Matching life history
stages/genders
female
(parasitic in cricket)
male
(parasitic in ant)
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Linking to International Initiatives
through the Consortium for the
Barcode of Life (CBOL)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Taxonomic databases (Species 2000, ITIS)
Voucher specimen databases
BioNet International
Projects such as SABONET & BOZONET
Digital library initiative
Genbank/EMBL/DDBJ partnership
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Digitizing Taxonomic Literature
• CBOL’s catalytic efforts:
– Library-Laboratory meeting in London on
electronic access to taxonomic literature
– Led to formation of Biodiversity Heritage
Library initiative
– Proactive steps with PubMed to add
taxonomic journals to online abstracts
– Aggressive negotiation with publishers of
barcoding papers (e.g., MEN)
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
The Vision:
Enabling research, product
development,
and dissemination
Ideally, all data should be accessible:
•
•
•
•
•
From any location
In formats appropriate to users
With a single query for each data type
Using simple links
Interoperable across data sets
… digitally
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006
Assembling an Encyclopedia
of Life
Opportunities
• Need is recognized
e.g., CBD, invasives, regulatory issues
• Regional networks – example of
SABONET, potential of BOZONET
– South – South Collaboration
– North – South Collaboration
• New tools and Internet
Availability of data, but how to apply?
Example – role of cell phones
Scott Miller – Nairobi, Oct. 2006