Metabarcoding Appalachian leaf litter arthropods

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

3:18 PM – 3:30 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 118

Presenting Author(s)

Michael S. Caterino

John and Suzanne Morse Chair of Arthropod Biodiversity
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Co-Author(s)

ER

Ernesto Recuero Gil

Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
FE

Frank Etzler

Montana Department of Agriculture
Helena, Montana

The highest elevations of the southern Appalachian mountains harbor a distinct spruce-fir plant community. Several leaf litter-inhabiting arthropods are known to be endemic to these communities, but only a tiny fraction of inhabitants have been systematically examined. Using NGS barcoding, we are surveying overall litter arthropod diversity, and exploring the extent of cryptic endemism in apparently widespread species. Sequencing thousands of individuals from dozens of localities is gradually yielding a sense of the richness and uniqueness of these communities. This talk will provide a progress report on our evolving methods and preliminary findings.