Tag Archive for: DNA barcoding

DNA barcoding workshop - lab work. Photo: M. Sonnleitner

ABOL goes Zambia

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DNA barcoding workshop at the University of Zambia

In early October, ABOL held a DNA barcoding workshop at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka together with Prof. Cyprian Katongo. The workshop – as part of the OeAD cooperation development research project “DNA barcoding of Zambia’s biodiversity” (led by the University of Graz) – aimed to teach students and employees the method and applications of DNA barcoding. The workshop started with two keynote lectures by Prof. Christian Sturmbauer (Univ. Graz). This was followed by a series of lectures on various aspects of biodiversity and DNA barcoding, held by Stephan Koblmüller (Univ. Graz), Cyprian Katongo (UNZA), Nikola Szucsich and Michaela Sonnleitner (ABOL coordination). After the strenuous introduction, the sampling trip to the Kafue and Zambezi rivers was certainly a highlight for the approximately 30 participants. Equipped with nets, the participants tried to catch different species of dragonflies and damselflies, which was very successful after a short training phase. Odonata are good indicator organisms for the quality of water bodies and are therefore well suited for starting a biodiversity survey. Suitable identification literature is also available. In addition, fish specimens for sampling were provided by the Department of Fisheries. The next day, tissue samples were taken from the dragonflies and fish and the animals were dry mounted/prepared for storage. The DNA extraction was carried out in the laboratory of veterinary medicine under the guidance of Lukas Zangl (University of Graz, Universalmuseum Joanneum) and Stephan Koblmüller. The last two days were dedicated to data analysis and interpretation. The participants were able to edit sequence data provided by the course leaders, calculate phylogenetic trees, etc. The participants were enthusiastic and committed to the task until the very end. We hope that the workshop has contributed to establish DNA barcoding as an approach to investigate Zambia’s rich biodiversity.

Impressiones from the workshop:

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Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb

ABOL-BioBlitz at the GEO Nature Day in the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve

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This year’s GEO Nature Day in the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve was dedicated to wet habitats around St. Lorenzen ob Reichenau. Consequently, there was also some moisture from above on the first day – the herpetologists thanked them with proof of the complete amphibian inventory, with alpine salamander, alpine newt, common toad and common frog. On Saturday, when the weather was beautiful, we went to the peat bog of St Lorenzen, among other sites. Designated as Ramsar protection area in 2011, dragonfly species were also found here for the first time during the Geo-day in the Nockberge. Although the moor, with a high proportion of rarities, is considered a relatively species-poor habitat, thanks to the many experts, around 1000 species were again recorded this year.

The Carinthia University of Applied Sciences used various types of traps, which, for the first time for the GEO Nature Day, are to be analyzed using DNA barcoding. In addition, environmental samples were taken to test an eDNA approach, which is likely to significantly increase the number of species detected.

A great thanks to the organizers and all participants in the ABOL BioBlitz!

A few impressions from the study area:

Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022, St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022. Peat bog. Photo: N. Szucsich
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022. Light trap. Photo: N. Szucsich
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022 Light trap Foto: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022, mosses and lichens on rock. Photo: N. Szucsich
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022. Moor. Photo: N. Szucsich
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022, St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022, St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022, St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022, St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022 - Alpine salamander. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022. Leucorrhinia dubia. Photo: N. Szucsich
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022 - Viviparous lizard. Foto: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022 - Alpine newt. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022. Light trap. St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
Geo-Tag Nockberge 2022; St. Lorenzen at Reichenau. Photo: C. Leeb
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ABOL BioBlitz in Tyrol

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The long journey was worth it: on July 8th and 9th the Day of Biodiversity, including a ABOL-BioBlitz, took place in the Ehrwald Basin/Biberwier, in the Ausserfern region of Tyrol. In the large valley basin, framed by the Wetterstein Mountains and the striking Zugspitze massif, the local bird sanctuary with the remains of a former extensive moor landscape was collected and mapped for 24 hours by experts from various groups of organisms. Further study areas were the picturesque Weißensee, a moist, steep southern slope and other smaller areas. The sunny weather contributed to the fact that plenty of flying insects could also be recorded. We hope for numerous samples from the participants, from which ABOL will have DNA barcodes created, and thank you very much in advance for your commitment. We would also like to thank the organizers for allowing ABOL to take part once again, as well as for the excellent catering and organization!

A few impressions from the study area:

Tenthredo sp., Weißensee lake, Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Moor, Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Species rich meadow, Biberwier, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: N. Szucsich
Moor, Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: N. Szucsich
Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Weißensee, Ehrwald Basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: N. Szucsich
Moor, Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: N. Szucsich
Light trap, Ehrwald basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: N. Szucsich
Zygaena spp., Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Cirsium oleraceum, Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Weissensee, Ehrwald basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: O. Macek
Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Moor, Ehrwald Basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Filipendula ulmaria, Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Araschnia levana, Ehrwald basin, TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Allium carinatum, Ehrwald basin, Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Filipendula ulmaria, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Ducks, Weißensee lake, Ehrwald basin; TdA Tyrol. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
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ABOL-BioBlitz at the insect camp in the Leiser Berge

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One goal of ABOL is to promote taxonomic knowledge. What could be more obvious than participate in the ÖEG insect camp. For this reason, a BioBlitze took place for the first time this year apart from days of biodiversity. The four-day camp was from 23.6. until 26.6. in the Nature Reserve Leiser Berge in Lower Austria. More than 40 entomologists – both experts and motivated students – took part. Arthropod groups such as beetles, butterflies, hymenoptera, bugs, cicadas, but also spiders and millipedes were collected. In addition to nets, exhausters, leaf suckers and soil sieves, a wide variety of light traps were used during the night. The evenings were also used to determine and to be together comfortably. As a finale, there was a big barbecue together on the last evening.

In addition to morphological identification, the participants were also introduced to DNA-based identification approaches. Interest in DNA barcoding was high among young entomologists. In this ABOL BioBlitz, a malaise trap was set up for the first time in order to expand the species list using metabarcoding.

The Leiser Berge were extraordinarily rich in insect species and abundances. The weather conditions were ideal, especially for flying insects. We are eagerly awaiting the evaluations and re-determinations of the entomologists, as well as the results of the DNA samples.

We would like to say a big thank you for the great organization and excellent catering – especially to Elisabeth Huber from ÖEG, the team from the Nature Reserve Leiser Berge and the team from the Youth Center Oberleis! Thanks also go to all participants and those interested in the ABOL-BioBlitz. It was a great pleasure for us to be able to participate in the insect camp this year!

Episyrphus balteatus. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Dry meadow, IC Leiser Berge. Photo: S. Schoder
Leiser Berge - view. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Polyphylla fullo. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Investigation area, IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Zygenidae. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Melanargia galathea. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Light traps. IC Leiser Berge. Foto: M. Sonnleitner
Barbitistes serricauda. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Sphinx pinastri. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Light trap. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Gentiana cruciata. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: S. Schoder
Coccinella septempunctata. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Melitaea athalia, IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Light trap. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: S. Schoder
Species rich meadow. IC Leise Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Satyrium sp., IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Insects on Knautia arvensis. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Dry meadow with Verbascum lychnitis. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Colias sp. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Lucanus cervus, Leiser Berge, Lower Austria. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Dry meadow. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Building up a Malaise trap. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Scaeva pyrastri. IC Leiser Berge. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
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ABOL BioBlitzes – new publication!

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Dear ABOL community

We are pleased to announce that our first joint publication on the ABOL BioBlitzes has been published in Acta ZooBot (link). In this context, the DNA barcoding datasets from the BioBlitzes 2019 and 2020 were released in BOLD, the international DNA barcoding platform, and are now available to everyone (download: dx.doi.org/10.5883/DS-ABOLBB19).

The concept of the ABOL BioBlitz combines the Days of Biodiversity with the generation of DNA barcode references from animals, especially insects, which are collected there anyway and identified by experts. In this way we make a significant contribution to the data basis for Austrian biodiversity, but above all valuable and often rarely available taxonomic expertise is digitized by storing the taxonomic determination together with the DNA sequence in a publicly accessible database.
Therefore, we would like to thank the experts who contributed their samples and expertise for their participation in the BioBlitzes and the unpaid efforts, and of course everyone who worked on the manuscript!

With your help, the BioBlitzes become a model example of citizen participation in social goals.

At the same time, we would like to motivate the experts to take part in the ABOL-BioBlitzes 2022 again. Information about this is available here: https://www.abol.ac.at/en/abol-bioblitz-2022/

 

Publication – Citation and Download:

Sonnleitner, M., Schoder, S., Macek, O., Leeb, C., Bräuchler, C., Haring, E., Dötterl, S., Eckelt, A., Fauster, R., Glatzhofer, E., Graf, W., Gros, P., Heimburg, H., Heiss, E., Hinterstoisser, W., Kirchweger, S., Koblmüller, S., Komposch, C., Link, A., Rabl, D., Rupp, T., Schlager, M., Streinzer, M., Strutzberg, H., Timaeus, L., Wagner, H.C., Wiesmair, B., Zimmermann, D., & Szucsich, N.U. (2022). Beitrag der ABOL-BioBlitze zur österreichischen Biodiversitäts-Erfassung: DNA-Barcodes aus 2019 und 2020. Acta ZooBot Austria, 158, 81–95. CITE DOWNLOAD

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ABOL meeting: Call for Abstracts

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Dear ABOL Community

the joint registration page for the ABOL meeting and the Biodiversity Forum is now online.
Please register on the following page: -> Days of Biodiversity – Program & Registration

Abstracts for talks (15 min. + 5 min. discussion) and flash talks (5 min. + 3 min. discussion) can still be submitted for the ABOL meeting on November 30th. Please send your abstract by Nov. 7th by email to: abol@nhm-wien.ac.at. We look forward to your interesting talk!

Unfortunately we have to announce that the ABOL meeting will take place again this year as a pure ONLINE conference. The Covid-19 regulations do not allow a cozy get-together, so we did not consider it useful to hold a face-to-face conference. However, we are confident that the online meeting will also be successful thanks to your help!

ABOL conference website

The ABOL coordination team

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Gruppenfoto TdA Hohe Tauern. Foto: M. SonnleitnerM. Sonnleitner

ABOL BioBlitz at the Day of Biodiversity in the National Park Hohe Tauern/Lungau

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The last BioBlitz this year was carried out by ABOL in the course of the Biodiversity Day in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The study area ranged from montane to alpine altitudes in the upper Mur valley in the national park municipality of Muhr im Lungau. The JUFA Hotel in St. Michael, the Sticklerhütte and the Rotgüldenseehütte served as bases. A total of 64 experts on 25 different groups of organisms took part in the Biodiversity Day; many of them also participated in the ABOL BioBlitz.

Unfortunately, heavy rainfalls accompanied the event – not a good precondition for successful surveys. On the one hand, many species were not active and also the experts had problems to move forward in the often steep and slippery terrain. Nevertheless, due to persistence and creativity a considerable number of species could again be detected. As planned, some researchers set up their light traps already on Friday evening to attract nocturnal insects – especially butterflies. Fortunately, the temperatures did not drop very much, so that many, mostly characteristic mountain species, could already be surveyed during this action. In addition, five bat species were detected by sound detectors. Naturally, most of the species were recorded by the botanists, which were able to work even in bad weather by the persevering group. The data recording in this case was mainly done via the app ObsMapp (observation.org).

In the course of a pleasant get-together at the JUFA Hotel on Sunday morning, the results and findings of the last two days were discussed, there was also opportunity to exchange ideas with other experts and and to give the participants a short summary of the BioBlitzes from the past two years.

We would like to thank the National Park team for the excellent organization, the transport with shuttle busses and the nice accommodations. A big thank you from our side also to all who participated again in the ABOL-BioBlitz action!

Impressiones from the study area (Photos: M. Sonnleitner):

Fountain of the Mur river. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Bombus sp. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Digitalis grandiflora. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Lepidoptera. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Diptera. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Path to the fountain of the Mur river. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Fountain of the Mur river. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Dianthus superbus. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Symphyta. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Eriophoretum. Upper Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Argynnis paphia. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Path to the fountain of the Mur river. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Group photo. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Gomphocerus sibiricus. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
End of valley behind the fountain of the Mur river. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Dianthus carthusianorum. Rotgülden lake. TdA Hohe Tauern. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
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Sabine Schoder

ABOL BioBlitz at the Tyrolean Day of Biodiversity in the Nature Park Kaunergrat

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In Tyrol, ABOL was once again able to participate in the Day of Biodiversity with a BioBlitz Initiative. Selected areas in the Nature Park Kaunergrat were examined – from wet to dry, lean meadows to bog areas, boulder fields, alpine meadows and alpine grasslands. In addition to butterfly experts, who began their surveys with light traps on Friday evening, experts on beetles, grasshoppers, flies, hymenoptera, birds, mammals, plants and fungi took part in the event. On Saturday, the participants flocked to the various survey areas to compile as comprehensive a species list as possible by late afternoon. Finally, at 16h, an invitation was extended to the Experts’ Coffee in the Nature Park House “Gacher Blick”, where there was time to exchange ideas and to let the Day of Biodiversity come to a pleasant end. A final presentation of the results will take place this year for the first time in autumn – probably partly online.

We would like to thank all participants of the ABOL BioBlitz! A big thank also goes to the organisers of the Day of Biodiversity, who managed with great spontaneity to move the planned event location from the Pfundser Tschey to the Kaunergrat Nature Park and still provide perfect catering and accommodation.

Impressions from the study area: (Photos: C. Leeb):

In search of species in the Nature Park Kaunergrat. Photo: C. Leeb
Parts of the ABOL coordination team. Photo: C. Leeb
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M. Sonnleitner

GEO day of nature and ABOL BioBlitz in the Biosphere Reserve Nockberge

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The third ABOL BioBlitz of this year took place as part of the GEO day of nature in the Biosphere Reserve Nockberge in Carinthia. 70 experts and companions surveyed animal, plant and fungus species at the basis of the Zunderwand and in the vicinity of the Erlacherhaus. Due to the special geological situation, where limestone islands protrude from the silicate bedrock, the diversity of species is particularly great here, as lime- and silicate-loving species coexist. The focus was also on the numerous peculiarities occurring here, especially species that are very rare or only narrowly distributed. The study area was rich in different habitats such as pastures, limestone grasslands, rock crevices and scree slopes, bogs, drainage fields and creeks. Therefore, more than 1180 species could be registered within 24 hours. The beautiful weather also contributed to the success. On the other hand, there were also groups that were surprisingly rarely found, such as bumblebees, whose main season had obviously not yet started. However, the exact number of species that was recorded will only be known after extensive post-processing by the respective experts. We hope for active participation in the ABOL BioBlitz and are confident that we can close one or the other gap in the DNA barcode reference data for Austria.

We would like to thank the organizers and the participants in the ABOL BioBlitz!

Impressions from the event and the study area (Photos: M. Sonnleitner):

Geo day of Nature, Postprocessing. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
Geo day of Nature, Postprocessing. Photo: M. Sonnleitner
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ABOL BioBlitz in in the Biosphere Reserve municipality Eichgraben

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For the third time, ABOL was able to participate at the Day of Biodiversity in the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald with a BioBlitz action. Around 70 biodiversity experts explored the Eichgraben municipal area on June 18th and 19th, 2021 in order to record as much fauna, flora and funga species as possible. Although the conditions were not ideal for some groups of animals and plants – many meadows had been mowed shortly before and there was high temperature and drought – more than 1,300 species could be detected this year. DNA barcodes will be generated from some of them after they have been identified and processed by the experts in the course of the ABOL BioBlitz campaign.

The first nature enthusiasts arrived on Friday morning in search of species – the last ones set up their light traps on Friday night to attract and detect various nocturnal insects. On Saturday morning, experts poured out into the municipality again and tried to compile a list of species as comprehensive as possible by early afternoon. The old nursery in the village of Eichgraben served as a base, where the Biosphere Reserve team took care of the well-being of the participants and provided lunch packages and cold drinks. Unfortunately, due to the Corona-regulations, no public event like in the years before the pandemic could take place this year. For those interested, however, there was the opportunity to take part in various nature excursions.

We would like to thank the Biosphere Reserve team for the excellent organization and all those who participated in the ABOL BioBlitz!

Impressiones from the study area (Photos: C. Leeb, M. Sonnleitner):

Day of Biodiversity in Eichgraben 2021. Foto: Christoph Leeb
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