Searching for the Optimal Sampling Solution: Variation in Invertebrate Communities, Sample Condition and DNA Quality

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Biodiversity Assessment
• Entomology

Background:

• Standardizing biodiversity assessments is essential for comparing research findings.
• Invertebrate sampling methods, particularly sampling solutions in traps, vary significantly, potentially affecting results.
• This variability can influence both sample processing and community composition analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of three common sampling solutions on arthropod communities.
• To assess how sampling solutions affect sample condition and subsequent morphological and genetic analyses.
• To determine optimal sampling solutions for different biodiversity assessment goals.

Main Methods:

• Flight-interception traps were deployed in two forest types and two vertical strata.
• Three commonly used sampling solutions were tested for their effect on sample condition and arthropod community composition.
• Community composition was analyzed at both order and species levels, and DNA barcoding success was assessed.

Main Results:

• Copper sulphate solutions led to more moldy and fragmented samples, potentially hindering morphological identification.
• Order-level community composition was not affected by sampling solution, but species-level composition and richness differed significantly.
• DNA barcoding success varied by species and solution; copper sulphate yielded fewer successful sequences.

Conclusions:

• Sampling solution choice significantly impacts species-level biodiversity assessments and DNA barcoding success.
• Ethylene glycol is recommended for studies prioritizing genetic analysis due to less species bias.
• Copper sulphate is a cost-effective option for morphological identification, despite potential sample degradation.