Case Study
Submitted By
| Name: | Krystal Tolley |
| Institution: | Leslie Hill Molecular Systematics Laboratory |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Email: | tolley@sanbi.org |
Title & Categories
| Case Study Title: | Reptiles of Southern Africa: Barcoding for Conservation Assessments |
| Focus Theme: | Biotic inventory of multiple taxa in a region or habitat, Biotic inventory of multiple taxa in a region or habitat, Adding barcodes to a large survey of a taxonomic group, Biotic inventory of multiple taxa in a region or habitat, Biotic inventory of multiple taxa in a region or habitat, Biotic inventory of multiple taxa in a region or habitat |
| Geographic Region: | Central America, Central America, Central America, Central America, Africa, Central America |
| Habitat Type: | Terrestrial tropical forest, Terrestrial tropical forest, Terrestrial tropical forest, Terrestrial tropical forest, Terrestrial temperate forest, Terrestrial tropical forest |
| Taxonomic Group: | d: Arthropoda - Hexapoda - Lepidoptera, d: Arthropoda - Hexapoda - Lepidoptera, d: Arthropoda - Hexapoda - Lepidoptera, d: Arthropoda - Hexapoda - Lepidoptera, d: Arthropoda - Hexapoda - Diptera, f: Reptilia |
Scope
In this study, we plan to barcode all reptiles that occur in Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland). This encompasses approximately 500+ species of reptiles. The information will be made available to SARCA (Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment), a major initiative to create a conservation assessment and comprehensive distribution atlas for all reptiles in southern Africa. Through independent field sampling/phylogenetics projects, an informal DNA tissue bank with nearly 1,900 tissue samples (300 corresponding voucher specimens) has been amassed from reptiles collected in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa.
Purpose
The purpose of this barcoding study is to provide basic information on identification that will assist with answering taxonomic questions for the reptiles in Southern Africa. Furthermore, the barcoding information can compliment both e-vouchers and museum specimens that will be collected during SARCA, as basic inventory for all species. Finally, the information will be used in a conservation assessment for each reptile species.
Background
Barcoding for reptiles of Southern Africa has not been previously carried out. However, DNA sequencing has been successful for taxonomic investigation for a number of groups by researchers based in South Africa and in the USA (chameleons, agamids, geckos, lacertids). Mainly ND2, 12S, 16S, RAG-1 have been used, and haven proven reliable. COI has not been used, but primers will be tested during the initial phase of the project.
Logistics
The barcoding will be carried out at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). We hope to attract graduate level students to the project. The lab carries out DNA sequencing, but should the barcoding project become a reality, we will need additional equipment and staffing to handle the capacity.
Comprehensive sampling will be done by SARCA herpetologists, covering all taxa and all regions of South Africa over the next three years. There are several groups for which there are taxonomic issues that could be addressed through MSc or PhD projects supervised through SANBI.