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Protocol to sequence markers from pollen grains carried by long-range migratory butterflies using metabarcoding.
Johanna Luise Gorki1, Tomasz Suchan2, Gerard Talavera1
1Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), CSIC-CMCNB, Barcelona, 08038 Catalonia, Spain.
STAR Protocols
|June 22, 2024
Summary
This study presents a new protocol for identifying pollen on migratory butterflies using DNA metabarcoding. This method traces insect movement and plant interactions over long distances.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Entomology
Background:
- Insect-mediated pollen analysis reveals plant visitation history.
- Migratory insects like butterflies travel long distances, making them ideal for tracking.
- Understanding insect-plant interactions is crucial for ecological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a protocol for molecular identification of pollen on insect bodies.
- To enable tracing the long-range movements of migratory butterflies.
- To provide a method applicable to various insect groups and genetic markers.
Main Methods:
- Pollen isolation from butterfly specimens.
- DNA metabarcoding library preparation using the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fragment.
- Sequencing and analysis for plant identification.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation and identification of pollen from butterfly bodies.
- Demonstration of the protocol's efficacy for tracing insect movements.
- Validation of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fragment as a reliable plant barcode.
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol offers a robust method for ecological and movement studies of insects.
- This technique enhances our understanding of insect-plant networks and migratory patterns.
- The protocol is adaptable for future research using different insect taxa and genetic markers.
