Molecular Biodiversity Assessment - MBA

We have now more than 85% of the Australian diving beetle species, represented by more than 12.000 specimens, in our frozen collection. This includes Dytiscidae and relatives (Noteridae, Hygrobiidae).

DNA sequencing with improved protocols runs @ full throttle, we have now generated more than 1200 cox1 sequences covering most species.

The circle tree below summarizes our efforts as of 15. October 2007.

At the same time, we create a voucher collection of extracted specimens (see photo, green labels provide our DNA extraction IDs later linked with GenBank entries), all identified and fully labelled.

Moreover, duplicates were also in part mounted and will, along with DNA vouchers, be integrated into the main ZSM Coleoptera collection.

ZSM now houses one of the most important collections of Australian (plus Oceanian and New Guinean) diving beetles in the World!