Data from: Establishing a community-wide DNA barcode library as a new tool for arctic research

• Main Authors: Wirta, H.,University of Helsinki, Várkonyi, G.,Finnish Environment Institute, Rasmussen, C.,Aarhus University, Kaartinen, R.,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Schmidt, N. M.,Aarhus University, Hebert, P. D. N.,University of Guelph, Barták, M.,Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Blagoev, G.,University of Guelph, Disney, H.,University of Cambridge, Ertl, S.,University of Vienna, Gjelstrup, P.,Aarhus University, Gwiazdowicz, D. J.,University of Life Sciences, Huldén, L.,University of Helsinki, Ilmonen, J.,University of Vienna, Jakovlev, J.,Finnish Environment Institute, Jaschhof, M.,Station Linné; Ölands Skogsby 161 38693 Färjestaden Sweden*, Kahanpää, J.,University of Helsinki, Kankaanpää, T.,University of Helsinki, Krogh, P. H.,Aarhus University, Labbee, R.,University of Guelph, Lettner, C.,University of Vienna, Michelsen, V.,University of Copenhagen, Nielsen, S. A.,Roskilde University, Nielsen, T. R.,University of Helsinki, Paasivirta, L.,University of Helsinki, Pedersen, S.,University of Guelph, Pohjoismäki, J.,University of Eastern Finland, Salmela, J.,Metsähallitus (Finland), Vilkamaa, P.,University of Helsinki, Väre, H.,University of Helsinki, von Tschirnhaus, M.,Bielefeld University, Roslin, T.,University of Helsinki
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: DNA barcode library; Arctic; Greenland; Zackenberg
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sg5s0; https://erepo.uef.fi/handle/123456789/25648

DNA sequences offer powerful tools for describing the members and interactions of natural communities. In this study, we establish the to-date most comprehensive library of DNA barcodes for a terrestrial site, including all known macroscopic animals and vascular plants of an intensively studied area of the High Arctic, the Zackenberg Valley in Northeast Greenland. To demonstrate its utility, we apply the library to identify nearly 20 000 arthropod individuals from two Malaise traps, each operated for two summers. Drawing on this material, we estimate the coverage of previous morphology-based species inventories, derive a snapshot of faunal turnover in space and time and describe the abundance and phenology of species in the rapidly changing arctic environment. Overall, 403 terrestrial animal and 160 vascular plant species were recorded by morphology-based techniques. DNA barcodes (CO1) offered high resolution in discriminating among the local animal taxa, with 92% of morphologically distinguishable taxa assigned to unique Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) and 93% to monophyletic clusters. For vascular plants, resolution was lower, with 54% of species forming monophyletic clusters based on barcode regions rbcLa and ITS2. Malaise catches revealed 122 BINs not detected by previous sampling and DNA barcoding. The insect community was dominated by a few highly abundant taxa. Even closely related taxa differed in phenology, emphasizing the need for species-level resolution when describing ongoing shifts in arctic communities and ecosystems. The DNA barcode library now established for Zackenberg offers new scope for such explorations, and for the detailed dissection of interspecific interactions throughout the community.