Ocean Biodiversity Information System. ZooGene A DNA Sequence Database for Calanoid Copepods and Euphausiids (CoML). Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/dfmmif accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-04-18.
Description
An international partnership will create a zooplankton genomic (ZooGene) database of DNA type sequences for calanoid copepods and euphausiids. The ZooGene database will be designed to include all species of these groups and to allow expansion to additional zooplankton groups. The ZooGene partnership includes four P.I.s and thirteen expert taxonomic consultants from seven countries. Zooplankton samples will be sorted from existing archival collections, obtained in coordination with planned oceanographic research efforts, and collected during National Marine Fisheries Service field surveys. The taxonomic experts will confirm species' identifications; DNA sequencing will be done at the University of New Hampshire and, in some cases, in other partners' laboratories. For each species, a DNA type sequence will be determined for a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene; multiple mtCOI sequences will be included as necessary to reflect intraspecific variation. The ZooGene database will be designed, created, managed, maintained, and distributed as part of the proposed work; the data will be integrated into the Ocean Biogeographical Information System (OBIS). Uses for and research applications of the ZooGene database include: 1) uniform standards of species' identification, 2) evaluation of the taxonomic significance of geographic variation within widespread species, 3) identification of cryptic species, 4) accurate estimation of species' diversity, 5) determination of evolutionary relationships among species, and 6) design of rapid molecularly-based species' identification protocols. Education and outreach efforts will include: training of graduate students at UNH and UW; a hands-on Molecular Systematics Workshop at UNH during Summer, 2001; exchanges between the P.I.s, international partners, and their colleagues and students; inclusion of ZooGen molecular and environmental data in the OBIS database, among others; creation and maintenance of a project web site; production of a CD with the ZooGene database and simple search tools; and informal education with the assistance of UNH Sea Grant.