ZPS7 Workshop 1
March 17, 2024 (Sunday)

Reference sequence databases for global zooplankton biodiversity: Optimization, applications and user guidelines

OVERVIEW

Molecular genetic approaches are used with increasing frequency to detect, discriminate, and identify species of marine zooplankton, and to characterize diversity of marine ecosystems. We have progressed rapidly from using DNA barcodes to identify single specimens, to DNA metabarcoding to characterize diversity of environmental samples and communities. In both cases, assignment of a sequence to a species, or classification to a taxonomic group, requires an accurate and complete reference database of DNA sequences based upon morphologically identified specimens. Currently, zooplankton sequence data can be found in several databases, which differ in their submission process, associated metadata, availability of sequence data (local vs. open-access) and taxonomic groups represented. In addition, there are a variety of available algorithms to assign the sequences to diverse taxonomic ranks.


This workshop covers topics such as
  • Overviews on sequence data for diverse ocean regions and taxonomic groups
  • Steps to improving coverage and completeness of local, regional, and global sequence databases
  • Priorities for continuing efforts toward both geographical and taxonomic coverage and reliable assignment of species and taxonomic groups
  • How to handle and share zooplankton and environmental DNA metabarcoding data in databases and analyses to reliably identify zooplankton communities.

The aim of this workshop is
  • To engage researchers working on taxonomic groups across pelagic communities in diverse marine ecosystems
  • To exchange information and advice
  • To share experiences
  • To discuss next steps toward the ultimate goal of reliable identification of species, analysis of biodiversity, and patterns of connectivity among ecosystems based on sequence data.

The workshop will include
  • Presentations by our invited speakers Iole Dicapua (Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources Department (RIMAR), Italy), Junya Hirai (Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Japan) and Jennifer Questel (College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA)
  • Presentation by Todd O´Brien (NOAA Fisheries, USA) on recent progress in zooplankton sequence reference databases
  • Presentations by participants (abstracts are already accepted)
  • Breakout Groups and discussion sessions on the selection of genes and gene regions, sequencing technologies and platforms, bioinformatics pipelines, and inter-comparison and inter-calibration of the results for local-to-global characterization of marine zooplankton diversity
  • Summarizing the results of the workshop
Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
Email *
Please enter your name (First name, Last name) *
Please enter your professional email address *

Have you already worked on (multi-species) molecular genetic identification of zooplankton?

 *

In which region do you work?

 *

With which zooplankton group/taxa/species do you work?

*

With which marker do you work?

Clear selection

With which sequence reference data base do you work?

Clear selection

With which approach do you work?

Clear selection
Do you have any specific questions / challenges which you would like to discuss in the workshop? 
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. Report Abuse - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy
Google Forms