Phylogenetic Diversity using next-generation sequencing: Biodiversity assessment of rosids in two grassland prairies of Nebraska
Advisor Information
P.Roxanne Kellar
Location
UNO Criss Library, Room 112
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
7-3-2014 11:00 AM
End Date
7-3-2014 11:15 AM
Abstract
As the global biodiversity crisis continues, it is imperative that scientists develop new ways to determine how limited conservation resources are distributed. Phylogenetic diversity (PD) measures the evolutionary difference between taxa in a community and can be used as a biodiversity assessment tool. Maximizing PD in a region will maximize the options for future adaptations as ecosystems continue to change. In this study, many species of rosids will be collected from two grassland prairies in Nebraska: The Niobrara Valley Preserve (NVP) and Nine-Mile Prairie (NMP). The total DNA will be extracted from each sample, and next-generation sequencing will be used to estimate robust phylogenies. The phylogenies produced will be used to calculate eight PD metrics that will be compared within and between study sites as well as to species richness and a measure of functional diversity, specific leaf area. The questions that will be investigated are 1) How do various PD metrics characterize biodiversity differently?; 2) How does PD differ between geographic locations?; 3) How is PD related to species richness (SR) and functional diversity (FD)?; and 4) How do PD metrics calculated from a phylogeny estimated using complete genomes differ from one estimated using three to five genes? Results will provide information to conservation planners about the value of using PD as a biodiversity assessment tool.
Phylogenetic Diversity using next-generation sequencing: Biodiversity assessment of rosids in two grassland prairies of Nebraska
UNO Criss Library, Room 112
As the global biodiversity crisis continues, it is imperative that scientists develop new ways to determine how limited conservation resources are distributed. Phylogenetic diversity (PD) measures the evolutionary difference between taxa in a community and can be used as a biodiversity assessment tool. Maximizing PD in a region will maximize the options for future adaptations as ecosystems continue to change. In this study, many species of rosids will be collected from two grassland prairies in Nebraska: The Niobrara Valley Preserve (NVP) and Nine-Mile Prairie (NMP). The total DNA will be extracted from each sample, and next-generation sequencing will be used to estimate robust phylogenies. The phylogenies produced will be used to calculate eight PD metrics that will be compared within and between study sites as well as to species richness and a measure of functional diversity, specific leaf area. The questions that will be investigated are 1) How do various PD metrics characterize biodiversity differently?; 2) How does PD differ between geographic locations?; 3) How is PD related to species richness (SR) and functional diversity (FD)?; and 4) How do PD metrics calculated from a phylogeny estimated using complete genomes differ from one estimated using three to five genes? Results will provide information to conservation planners about the value of using PD as a biodiversity assessment tool.